The Confederate Line

Early on May 5, 1864, Richard Ewell eagerly advanced down the turnpike with orders to strike the enemy wherever he found him, and his Confederates made contact with the Union army at Saunders Field. Forming a line of battle across the turnpike, they began entrenching with knives, bayonets, shovels made from canteen halves, and whatever other tools they could find, leaving earthen mounds that remained from their work. For two days, Ewell's men stubbornly defended this ridge against attacks by the Union Fifth and Sixth corps. Unable to break Ewell's strong position along the turnpike, Grant shifted his attention south to the Orange Plank Road, where the battle was decided.

Virginia · United States