Standing atop Marye's Heights, only the growth of trees hides what was once a commanding view of the left of the Confederate field of battle. Except for an early morning fog and the haze from rapidly discharged weapons, Southern artillerists and infantrymen had an almost unobstructed view, as many of the trees pictured here were not present. The fire from these positions on the series of gallant Union charges was devastating. As General Longstreet would later write, "Our artillery, being in position, opened fire as soon as the masses became dense enough to warrant it. This fire was very destructive and demoralizing in its effects, and frequently made gaps in the enemy's ranks that could be seen at the distance of a mile." In one day, the Union suffered over 12,000 casualties to the South's 5,000. Formerly whole men lay where they fell in the cold winter air as night crept over them, blanketing their agonized cries. In General Robert E. Lee's Official Report, he stated, "...when night closed in, the shattered masses of the enemy had disappeared in the town, leaving the field covered with dead and wounded." [11]

Click on the above link labeled "How this location looked then." to see a view of the open fields the Confederate artillerists raked with shot and shell while their Union counterparts dutifully attempted to advance. Photograph courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration.