Kershaw Trail = Lowest section of the Kershaw Trail running parallel with Sailor’s Creek on the southside of the Battlefield. The creek is flowing towards the camera. It was here, late in the day on April 6, 1865, Federal soldiers crossed a chest-deep, flooded creek during a heavy downpour with unseasonably frigid temperatures, on their way to meet the enemy on the valley ridge a few hundred yards distant. The troops, in line of battle, coming from the left side of the image stepped into the raging waters, emerging on the right side soaked to the bone, disorganized and disoriented as snipers and pickets began firing into their ranks. Photo was taken at approximately 2:20 pm.
Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park
www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sailors-creek
Tags: Sailors Creek fall autumn
Custis Lee Trailhead = looking north towards the Hillsman House in the far distance and Sailor’s Creek hidden from view inside the treeline, running horizontally from right to left. Mixture of Oak, Maple, Black Walnut and Pine. It was from this vantage point that Confederates under the command of General Richard Ewell formed a defensive line and awaited the approaching enemy that outnumbered them by 2-to-1. Photo taken at approximately 2:35pm.
Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park
www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sailors-creek
Tags: Sailors Creek fall autumn
Wheaton Trailhead = looking south from behind the Hillsman House towards Sailor’s Creek which is just past the treeline in the foreground. Mixture of Oak, Maple, Black Walnut and Pine. It was here that General Horatio Wright’s Federal VI Corps formed into lines of battle and began marching towards the creek and the waiting enemy on the opposite ridge line. Photo taken at approximately 2:10pm.
Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park
www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sailors-creek
Tags: Sailors Creek fall autumn
Hillsman House = The hundred year old maple tree dominates the yard beside the historic Hillsman House which was built in the 1780’s and used as a Federal Army field hospital during the Battles of Sailor’s Creek, April 6, 1865. Today, this National Historic Landmark is used for guided tours as visitors are able to step back in time to see how things looked and functioned during the late-18th century and 19th century. Photo taken at approximately 5:35pm.
Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park
www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sailors-creek
Tags: Sailors Creek fall autumn
Lowest section of the Kershaw Trail running parallel with Sailor’s Creek on the southside of the Battlefield. The creek is flowing towards the camera. It was here, late in the day on April 6, 1865, Federal soldiers crossed a chest-deep, flooded creek during a heavy downpour with unseasonably frigid temperatures, on their way to meet the enemy on the valley ridge a few hundred yards distant. The troops, in line of battle, coming from the left side of the image stepped into the raging waters, emerging on the right side soaked to the bone, disorganized and disoriented as snipers and pickets began firing into their ranks. Photo taken at approximately 10:45am.
Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park
www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sailors-creek
Tags: Sailors Creek fall autumn