Tour Stop 4 - Ransom's Gun Path

The hilly terrain made it difficult for the Union commanders to establish adequate artillery emplacements. Along this part of the line, the Federal infantry, commanded by Brigadier General Thomas E.G. Ransom, required additional support. To provide it, artillerymen belonging to the 2nd Illinois Light Artillery dismantled two of their cannon (12 pounders) and, with the assistance of some of Ransom's infantrymen, dragged the guns over the hills to an earthwork about 100 yards from the Confederate trenches. Once reassembled, the cannon resumed bombarding the Southern lines.