Short of Total Victory
Nothing could stop them now: sweeping downhill from Chinn Ridge thousands of Confederates crossed Chinn Branch and began crashing through these woods. Ahead was Sudley Road - the road to the Stone House intersection, and the chance to cut off any Union retreat.
At the last minute, regiments of Pennsylvania Reserves and U.S. Regulars came running full-tilt from Henry Hill, and took position along the road cut. From the hill behind them artillery started lobbing shells in this direction; Union small arms fire ripped through the trees. Here the Confederate counterattack lost momentum.
The hour's fighting on Chinn Ridge had given the Union just enough time to establish this defense along Sudley Road. Confederates made repeated, disjointed assaults along the half mile line but could not quite break through. This was the Confederates' last opportunity to annihilate the Union Army, but darkness fell before they could concentrate their forces.
Marker is at the intersection of Chinn Ridge Loop and Sudley Road (Virginia Road 234), on the left when traveling west on Chinn Ridge Loop.
Courtesy hmdb.org
