Near Fredericksburg in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Slaughter Pen Farm

Second Assault

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2009

1. The Second Assault Marker

Inscription.

Slaughter Pen Farm. Second Assault. With the failure of Gen. Nelson Taylor's advance, Gen. John Gibbon sent in Col. Peter Lyle's Brigade. Taylor shifted some of his remaining regiments to the right and joined in Lyle's assault. Together, Taylor and Lyle formed a six-regiment front and attacked toward the railroad. When the Federals reached the small rise in front of you, Gen. James H. Lane's North Carolinians again opened up a murderous fire, and the Union attack stopped to return fire. Soon Union troops were running out of ammunition. To support his floundering front, Gibbon called up his last reserve - Col. Adrian Root's brigade., "We went midst the bursting of shells and whistling of bullets; we could feel the wind caused by them, but the boys went on, loading and firing as they went." , - Pvt. S. Dean Canan, 136th Pennsylvania Infantry, USA, "I have Not time to Give you the particulars of the fight as I wish but will Say that it was the hardest fight that I have ever been in." , - Pvt. William G. Morris, 37th North Carolina Infantry, CSA, (Sidebar): , Advance the Colors , Three of the five Medals of Honor awarded on this field were given to men in Col. Peter Lyle's brigade, who risked life and limb to keep the flags raised and the chances for a successful charge alive. It took two hands to carry a flag, so the bearer could not defend himself at the same time. To sling one's rifle, carry the flag, and make oneself a target while guiding the unit was an act of courage all soldiers admired., SERGEANT PHILIP PETTY, 136th Pennsylvania Infantry, "seized the flag as it fell from the hands of the color bearer in the hottest of the engagement." He then, "planted the flag staff in the ground on the front line and continued firing until" he retired under orders with his flag., PRIVATE MARTIN SCHUBERT, 26th New York Infantry, ignored a medical furlough and fought in the battle saying, "I though the Government needed me on the battlefield rather than at home." With several color bearers down, he picked up the flag and carried it ahead of the regiment until a bullet entered his side, a bullet that stayed there for years after the Civil War., PRIVATE JOSEPH KEENE saw the flag of the 26th New York Infantry laying on the ground. Like Martin Schubert, he hoisted the flag and advanced with the regiment. He bore the colors throughout the fight and got them safely off the field.

With the failure of Gen. Nelson Taylor's advance, Gen. John Gibbon sent in Col. Peter Lyle's Brigade. Taylor shifted some of his remaining regiments to the right and joined in Lyle's assault. Together, Taylor and Lyle formed a six-regiment front and attacked toward the railroad. When the Federals reached the small rise in front of you, Gen. James H. Lane's North Carolinians again opened up a murderous fire, and the Union attack stopped to return fire. Soon Union troops were running out of ammunition. To support his floundering front, Gibbon called up his last reserve - Col. Adrian Root's brigade.

"We went midst the bursting of shells and whistling of bullets; we could feel the wind caused by them, but the boys went on, loading and firing as they went."
- Pvt. S. Dean Canan, 136th Pennsylvania Infantry, USA

"I have Not time to Give you the particulars of the fight as I wish but will Say that it was the hardest fight that I have ever been in."
- Pvt. William G. Morris, 37th North Carolina Infantry, CSA

(Sidebar):
Advance the Colors
Three of the five Medals of Honor awarded on this field were given to men in Col. Peter Lyle's brigade, who risked life and limb to keep the flags raised and the chances for a successful charge alive. It took two hands to carry a flag, so the bearer

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could not defend himself at the same time. To sling one's rifle, carry the flag, and make oneself a target while guiding the unit was an act of courage all soldiers admired.

SERGEANT PHILIP PETTY, 136th Pennsylvania Infantry, "seized the flag as it fell from the hands of the color bearer in the hottest of the engagement." He then, "planted the flag staff in the ground on the front line and continued firing until" he retired under orders with his flag.

PRIVATE MARTIN SCHUBERT, 26th New York Infantry, ignored a medical furlough and fought in the battle saying, "I though the Government needed me on the battlefield rather than at home." With several color bearers down, he picked up the flag and carried it ahead of the regiment until a bullet entered his side, a bullet that stayed there for years after the Civil War.

PRIVATE JOSEPH KEENE saw the flag of the 26th New York Infantry laying on the ground. Like Martin Schubert, he hoisted the flag and advanced with the regiment. He bore the colors throughout the fight and got them safely off the field.

Erected 2009 by Civil War Preservation Trust and Virginia Civil War Trails.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition,

Civil War Preservation Trust image. Click for more information.

2. Civil War Preservation Trust

Help preservation like the Slaughter Pen Farm.
Click for more information.

it is included in the Virginia Civil War Trails series list.

Location. 38° 15.856′ N, 77° 26.996′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker can be reached from Tidewater Trail (U.S. 17), on the right when traveling south. Located on the Civil War Preservation Trust's Slaughter Pen Farm trail. Please obtain permission before entering the property. Call CWPT at (800) 298-7878. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3512 Shannon Park Dr, Fredericksburg VA 22408, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Slaughter Pen Farm (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Slaughter Pen Farm (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Slaughter Pen Farm (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Slaughter Pen Farm (approx. ¼ mile away); Engines of Destruction (approx. 0.4 miles away); Bernard's Cabins (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Slaughter Pen Farm (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Slaughter Pen Farm (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

More about this marker. In the center of the marker is a map illustrating

Sixth Wayside on the Slaughter Pen Farm Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2009

3. Sixth Wayside on the Slaughter Pen Farm Trail

the unit positions and movements in this phase of the battle. It may look neat and tidy on the map, but advancing Lyle's brigade, under fire, through, around, and with Taylor's brigade caused "considerable confusion" in the lines of both brigades.

In the sidebar is a photo of a Medal of Honor. The first Medals of Honor were awarded to the Civil War's Union "noncommissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldier-like qualities, during the present insurrection."

Also see . . . The Slaughter Pen Farm. Civil War Preservation Trust virtual tour of the Slaughter Pen Farm. (Submitted on July 27, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Lyle's Brigade Moves Forward image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2009

4. Lyle's Brigade Moves Forward

Looking northeast from the marker location. Lyle's brigade moved forward behind Taylor's brigade over this ground.

Lyle's Brigade Assaults Toward the Railroad image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2009

5. Lyle's Brigade Assaults Toward the Railroad

Looking south from the marker location toward the railroad. The white spot in the distant right center is the seventh wayside marker along the trail. Lyle's brigade drove forward across this ground to gain a purchase on the railroad.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2009. This page has been viewed 1,216 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on October 27, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on July 27, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on July 26, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 27, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.