Battle Along the Railroad

Crossfire from the 60th Georgia on the far side of the railroad tracks pinned down much of a Federal brigade in this field, as the Georgians used the cuts and fills along the railroad as a parapet to fire into the Federal line. Brig. Gen. Nelson Taylor of the Excelsior Brigade saw the situation and ordered his two reserve regiments, the 70th and 72nd New York Infantry, to wheel right and attack along the knoll so they could fire down on the 60th Georgia. Across the railroad, the 5th New Jersey Infantry advanced along the tracks and also gained an effective line of fire onto the Georgians. Outflanked and unable to hold their position, the 60th Georgia fell back to the main Confederate line of defense along the Brentsville Road, and the sight of the retreat sent Taylor’s men forward in a charge that planted their colors on the railroad.

Linton Hall, Virginia · United States