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The Peach Orchard:
This was the scene of intense fighting on Sunday afternoon as Federal troops stubbornly resisted Confederate charges through the peach trees. Peach blossoms ripped off by minie balls fell like snow.
A Union soldier who faced the Confederate onslaught described the heavy artillery fire: "Everywhere around us the storm began to rage: shot, shell, ... canister came howling and whistling through our lines. The very trees seemed to protest against it. Missiles flew everywhere."
Successive Confederate infantry charges finally broke the blue line, and the Federals retreated in disorder back toward Pittsburg Landing. The next day, however, a reinforced Union army won this ground back.
Union troops under Brig. Gen. Stephen A. Hurlbot held back the Confederate tide for several hours at the peach orchard. Losses were heavy on both sides.
Manse George Cabin:
At the time of the battle, this land was owned and farmed by the W. Manse George family. When the fighting started, the family fled. Later, they returned to find their home burned and possessions destroyed.
After the battle, a cabin from another part of the battlefield was moved here to replace the one swept away by war. The short path to your right leads to this historic building. |