Union Trench Line

Trenches like this one provide good cover and security during battle.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Southern section of park, along the Assault Trail.

Significance:

Preserved trench line that held Union in reserve during the assault on Cheatham Hill

Designation:

National Battlefield Park.

The most concentrated and furious assault would be on the salient in the Confederate line, or the ‘Dead Angle’, just a few hundred yards from this position. Jefferson C. Davis’ 3^rd Division would lead that charge. Mitchell and McCook’s Brigades would attack from the right and left, while Morgan’s Brigade would hold in reserve in the trench that you see before you. The moments before the actual attack were tense ones, spent in trenches like this one. A war correspondent from the Cincinnati Daily Commercial writes that ‘The minutes passed in muted apprehension. There was no evidence in the movement or bearing of the men that they were so soon to essay ‘the deadly imminent breach’ though they must have been conscious that the task laid out for them was on which none but men hoping to meet death would covet…. no one could have guessed from their undisturbed faces, that all the latent gallantry of their natures could be aroused, and lashed into a fury of heroism during the next ten minutes.” At roughly half past 8 am, the signal gun would sound, and the assault would begin.