Around the outside of the central redoubt, the ditch formed a significant obstacle that attackers would have to climb through to assault the position. At Fort Mill Ridge, it also appears to have served as a trench from which defending infantry could fire. From the two southern corners of the redoubt, covered ways connected the ditch to the outer ring of entrenchments, and together the east-west line of the covered ways and the ditch provided a second line of defense against attack down the ridge from the south. At the corners of the redoubt, projecting earthen mounds called traverses strengthened the corners by allowing fire from the ditch and crossing fire along the face of the redoubt, protected men in one segment of the ditch from explosions in an adjacent segment, helped prevent attackers from firing directly down the line of the ditch from the side, and could also have served as additional earthworks from behind which to fire at attackers. In May 1863, Joshua Winters recorded wagon guard duty, a trip of 8 miles for hay, evening drills, digging refuse pits on fatigue duty, and a dress parade.

Photo: Craig Swain

Photo: Craig Swain

Photo: TeamOHE

Photo: Craig Swain

Photo: Craig Swain

Romney, West Virginia · USA