Fight at the Fenceline
From the left and rear came wave after wave of Confederates. At that moment the only troops facing them were two regiments of Ohio infantry taking cover behind the rail fence. (The Ohioans knew what was coming: they had witnessed the few surviving New York Zouaves stagger out of the woods.)
The Confederate columns divided around Chine House and swept toward the fence line, less than 100 yards away. Suddenly the Ohioans rose and fired. Their concentrated volley struck the front rank of the Confederates like a shock wave. For ten minutes deafening musket fire continued at close range until overwhelming numbers forced the Ohioans back along the ridge.
A Crucial Delay
Longstreet's massive counterattack had a chance to annihilate the Union Army, caught in the open after the repulse at Deep Cut, but the Ohioans bought the Union time. Now Union reinforcements rushed to Chinn Ridge; cannon wheeled into position on the far knoll where the pin oak stands. Those guns became the Confederate's next objective.
Marker is at the intersection of Chinn Ridge Loop and Sudley Road (Virginia Road 234), on the right when traveling west on Chinn Ridge Loop.
Courtesy hmdb.org
