39th Illinois Earthworks

39th Illinois Earthworks. . This earthwork was dug on the night of May 15th, 1864 by the 39th Illinois. It is a rare example of a quickly dug defensive position from the Bermuda Hundred Campaign. These lines were not carefully planned and laid out like the large Federal defensive positions in Bermuda Hundred or Confederate lines that stretched from Drewry's Bluff. Rather, they were quickly thrown up by individual companies along the front facing the Confederate defenses., Earthworks of this type are a prime example of the changes to warfare brought about by the accuracy and range of the rifled musket. Long gone were the Napoleonic tactics that characterized some of the early engagements where armies faced off in battle lines across open fields. By 1864, soldiers on both sides knew that their lives depended on digging in whenever an encounter with the enemy was anticipated., On the night of May 15, 1864, along a 3 mile front, Federal regiments dug trenches, strung telegraph wire amongst the tree stumps in front of them, or some piled up logs and brush. Some had no time to prepare any defenses., After Confederate attacks on the Federal right and center on the morning of May 16, Maj. Gen. Benjamin F. Butler ordered a retreat back to Bermuda Hundred. Poor communication stranded the 39th Illinois on the far left of the Federal line. The 39th Illinois successfully repelled three assaults here before being forced to withdraw south along the railroad., "We had but little skirmishing during the day and employed ourselves in digging a strong line of rifle pits. At 8 o'clock the enemy charged upon our works steadily and splendidly. We reserved our fire until they were within a very short range. When we opened upon them, they staggered, rallied, charged again, recoiled; then rallied and charged the third time. Our fire was too for them however, and they fled in confusion leaving the field literally covered with their dead and wounded." Capt. Leroy A. Baker 39th Illinois