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Return to your car and head west on 60th, turn right on Manchester, turn left at 59th, crossing the railroad, 100 yards to marker 17B on the left (south).
Log House and Defense Line Historical Marker
Log House and Defense Line Historical Marker
"This log house hiding Confederate snipers was in front of the defensive line t the south. Heavy fighting took place there on October 23, 1864 between Marmaduke's Confederates and Pleasonton's Cavalrymen. Clarke's Confederate Brigade was in line here, fortified with fence rails. It ran south to 63rd from the cliff which is a few rods to the north. Pleasonton drove them to the west at 11 A.M."
During the battle, several Confederate sharpshooters occupied a log house located on the Byram's Ford Road on Bloody Hill. The Confederate sharpshooters targeted the Federal officers and were very successful. Among the casualties were Col. Edward F. Winslow and Lt. Col. Thomas T. Crittenden. The log houses became the scene of hand-to-hand fighting when the Federals were finally able to reach them late in the morning. Once the Confederates withdrew up the hill, the Federals began using the log houses for cover.
In his official report, Col. John F. Philips described the Confederate defenses which included the log houses.
The enemy … occupied a range of hills, extending through an open field on our left and along a craggy bluff, covered with dense woods, on our right. The enemy's position was strengthened by a string of fencing and two or three log houses, behind which he took shelter.
Col. Edward F. Winslow
Lt. Col. Thomas T. Crittenden
Col. John F. Philips
Log House along Byram's Ford Road on Bloody Hill
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