Shelter From Attack

Shelter From Attack. . The low earthen mound in front of you is all that remains of the formidable breastworks built here July 2, 1863 by Union soldiers of the Twelfth Army Corps. General George S. Greene, a civil engineer, understood the value of defensive works and despite his superior's objections, ordered his men to cut trees and stack rocks, creating breastworks from the summit to the base of the hill. Captain George Collins, 149th New York Infantry, recalled, "The men grumbled a little," but they "brought sticks, stones, and chunks of wood, and felled trees and shoveled dirt for three or four hours.", By the end of the day, their labor proved fruitful in providing shelter for the Union battle line from Confederate attack. A New York officer later wrote, "without breastworks our line would have been swept away in an instant by the hailstorm of bullets and the blood of men." The breastworks remain a tangible link between the Battle for Culp's Hill and where you stand today. Please stay on the established trails and off the breastworks. Encourage others to do the same. Thank you for helping us preserve this hallowed ground., (captions) , The breastworks extending from the base of the hill to the summit, were key to the Union defense. After a regiment had exhausted its ammunition, new troops were rotated into the battle linr, keeping up a continuous fire on the enemy., On July 15, 1863, from near this spot, the photographic team of Mathew Brady captured this image of the Union breastworks.