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4/5/2025
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Viewing Album: The Railroad Cut in Gettysburg
By:
D B
Dates:
10/1/2007 - 10/1/2007
Album Info:
These are pictures of the infamous "Railroad Cut". On July 1, 1863, Confederate forces were just west of the small town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Confederates moved towards the town to gather some much needed supplies and were ordered not to engage enemy troops. To their suprise, they found Yankee Calvary just west of town between Herr's Ridge and McPherson's Ridge. North of the McPherson Farm and the Chambersburg Pike lay an excavated railroad bed, complete except for the placement of stone, ties and rails. The bed ran west from Gettysburg and cut through Seminary and McPherson's Ridges, and proved to be both a helpful and hazardous obstacle for both sides. After the opening infantry shots were fired on the McPherson Farm, Union General Cutler's brigade moved north of the railroad bed where they were engaged by General Davis' brigade. Cutler's men were flanked and forced to retreat to Seminary Ridge. Of the 380 men of the 147th New York, 76 were killed or mortally wounded, 146 were wounded, and 79 were missing. This was 80% of the regiment. Gen. Davis' Brigade forced the Union back and was moving towards Seminary Ridge when they received return fire from a portion of the "Iron Brigade". It was the 6th Wisconsin led by Colonel Dawes that was being held "in reserve" during the first vollies of the battle. Soon afterward, the 6th Wisconsin was joined by the 95th NY Infantry. They repulsed Gen. Davis' Brigade and many of Davis' men took cover in the "railroad cut". The two Union regiments were joined by the 14th Brooklyn who pinned down the Confederates in the deep cut and forced their surrender.
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Title:
14th Brooklyn Monument
Description:
Photo Date:
10/1/2007
Upload Date:
10/3/2007 7:36:49 PM
Location:
Gettysburg, PA
Author:
David Brnich
Categories:
Locomotives:
Views:
232
Comments:
0
Title:
147th NY Monument
Description:
Looking southwest at Seminary Ridge, the railway disappears into the cut.
Photo Date:
10/1/2007
Upload Date:
10/3/2007 7:36:50 PM
Location:
Gettysburg, PA
Author:
David Brnich
Categories:
Locomotives:
Views:
170
Comments:
0
Title:
95th NY Monument
Description:
Looking northeast from atop the railroad cut, no wonder the 95th, 6th Wisconsin, and 14th Brooklyn were able to pin down the Confederates.
Photo Date:
10/1/2007
Upload Date:
10/3/2007 7:36:50 PM
Location:
Gettysburg, PA
Author:
David Brnich
Categories:
Locomotives:
Views:
220
Comments:
0
Title:
The Railroad Cut
Description:
A present day photo looking west from the beginning of the cut. In 1863, the cut was excavated, but there were no stones, no ties, nor rails. Confederate General Davis' Brigade would have been moving from the right to the left across the cut forcing General Cutler's Brigade to retreat.
Photo Date:
10/1/2007
Upload Date:
10/3/2007 7:36:55 PM
Location:
Gettysburg, PA
Author:
David Brnich
Categories:
Locomotives:
Views:
271
Comments:
0
Title:
Pinning The Rebels
Description:
This picture is taken from the right flank of the 95th NY Regiment. Imagine standing atop this spot while finding your enemy looking up at you. The Rebels had no where to go.
Photo Date:
10/1/2007
Upload Date:
10/3/2007 7:36:56 PM
Location:
Gettysburg, PA
Author:
David Brnich
Categories:
Locomotives:
Views:
206
Comments:
0
Title:
In The Cut
Description:
Standing in the cut looking west, you can tell that this was a great defensive position. Unfortunately, you had no where to run if your opponent got to either side of the cut.
Photo Date:
10/1/2007
Upload Date:
10/3/2007 7:36:57 PM
Location:
Gettysburg, PA
Author:
David Brnich
Categories:
Locomotives:
Views:
211
Comments:
0
Title:
Deep In The Cut
Description:
Looking southwest from the center of the cut, you can see the monument marking the 14th Brooklyn. A Confederate soldier had no where to go when the Yankees decided to charge.
Photo Date:
10/1/2007
Upload Date:
10/3/2007 7:36:57 PM
Location:
Gettysburg, PA
Author:
David Brnich
Categories:
Locomotives:
Views:
197
Comments:
0
Title:
Looking East From The Cut
Description:
From the center of the cut, you are now looking East towards the town of Gettysburg. Confederate Gen. Davis' troops eventually took positions in this cut and were picking off the Union advance. Unfortunately, the Union continued to advance until they were on top of the rebel troops who were pinned down in the cut.
Photo Date:
10/1/2007
Upload Date:
10/3/2007 7:36:58 PM
Location:
Gettysburg, PA
Author:
David Brnich
Categories:
Locomotives:
Views:
228
Comments:
0
Title:
General Buford's Vantage Point
Description:
Off in the distance above the 2nd car on the left of the photo is the famous cupola portrayed in the movie, "Gettysburg". It is on the grounds of the Lutheran Theological Seminary on "Seminary Ridge". The building is Schmucker Hall named for the founder of the seminary who was an abolitionist.
Photo Date:
10/1/2007
Upload Date:
10/3/2007 7:36:59 PM
Location:
Gettysburg, PA
Author:
David Brnich
Categories:
Locomotives:
Views:
317
Comments:
0
Title:
Atop The Railroad Cut
Description:
A view from the modern bridge above the railroad cut, we are looking southeast. The rail line is heading east towards the town of Gettysburg. You are looking directly at Seminary Ridge and the cupola above Schmucker Hall. This is where the Union held steadfast after the first day's battles.
Photo Date:
10/1/2007
Upload Date:
10/3/2007 7:37:00 PM
Location:
Gettysburg, PA
Author:
David Brnich
Categories:
Locomotives:
Views:
284
Comments:
0
Title:
Looking West From The Cut
Description:
Looking southwest from atop the railroad cut, you can see the McPherson barn and South Mountain. The Confederate Army had been moving northward and was just east of South Mountain in Cashtown when they encountered Union Calvary.
Photo Date:
10/1/2007
Upload Date:
10/3/2007 7:37:05 PM
Location:
Gettysburg, PA
Author:
David Brnich
Categories:
Locomotives:
Views:
226
Comments:
0
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