On the morning of August 30, 1862, Confederate Col. Stephen D. Lee deployed 18 guns from his artillery battalion along this commanding ridge, while additional cannon under Maj. Lindsey M. Shumaker unlimbered to his left. The artillery linked the two wings of the Confederate army, and as many as 36 guns occupied this ground overlooking the rolling fields of Lucinda Dogan's farm. At 3:00 p.m., Union troops poured out of the Groveton woods to attack Jackson's line along the unfinished railroad in the most formidable onslaught of the three days. From this position, Confederate gunners had a clear view of the assault and concentrated their fire on the advancing enemy line one-half mile ahead. The lethal bombardment kept reinforcements from crossing the field and helped ensure the failure of the Union attack.