A Useless Slaughter

A Useless Slaughter

Confederate General Alfred Iverson’s brigade of 1,300 North Carolinians advanced across the field toward Oak Ridge and the woodlot. They hoped to drive the Union defenders from their position. Hidden behind the stone wall ahead, General Henry Baxter’s Union soldiers watched. Private John. D. Vautier, 88th Pennsylvania, said they “came sweeping on in magnificent order…colors to the front…(we)waited quietly for the enemy to come within range.” At 80 yards the Union troops rose and fired, striking down more than 500 Confederates in a single blast. Within a terrible span of no more than 10minutes, the brigade lost some 903 officers and men.