McIntosh's Battery

As North Carolina brigades advanced down the hill, Maj. David G. McIntosh was ordered to bring his artillery battalion forward to support the Confederate attack from an exposed position chosen by Hill despite McIntosh's protest. When the attack began to waver, McIntosh brought up five rifled guns and two smoothbores, but retreating North Carolinians swept past them and left the artillery without infantry support. Union commanders behind the railroad quickly recognized the Confederate weakness and sent skirmishers forward against the guns. Union fire cut down the gunners, counterbattery fire disabled two cannon, and within minutes three men were killed, 39 wounded, and 44 horses lost. Unable to continue working the guns, McIntosh's men retreated over the hill for cover, and Union skirmishers rolled the five remaining cannon down the hill to safety. Sergeant Daniel Corrigan then limbered one of the captured guns, mounted the saddle leader, and drove it in triumph over the field and across the railroad into Union lines under enemy fire and cheering from his comrades.

Linton Hall, Virginia · United States