Flanking of Hays' Brigade
On this ridge, the Union brigade of Brig. Gen. William Hays, supported by artillery, temporarily stopped the Confederate advance across the ground below you. A member of the 12th New Jersey described what happened next: "We were in open sight, without earthworks or protection of any kind, except a few trees...when an unfortunate break to the rear of the regiment on our right left a vast hole in our line, through which the Rebels, unseen by us, got in our flank and rear and rolled our line up endways, just like a piece of ribbon." Hays and all but one member of his staff were captured. The rest of the command retreated to the next ridge.
Marker can be reached from Plank Road / Germania Highway (State Highway 3), on the right when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
