Stop 4 - Otto Lane RespiteAs you enter the historic Otto Lane the trail continues south (left). However, first walk down to the 11th Ohio Monument for stop 4, then come back and rejoin the trail. This entire trail is located on the Otto Farm. John and Kate Otto’s home is just to the north down this historic farm lane. You passed the house on your drive to the Burnside Bridge. One of Otto’s two enslaved people, Hillary Watson, remembered how on September 16th, “The hill at our place was covered with the Rebels. They’d walk right into the house and say, ‘Have you got anything to eat?’ like they was half starved…The Union troops, who come into our place few days later, wasn’t so hungry. The rebels was always hungry, and the men were miserable dirty.” Hillary Watson was emancipated, but stayed on the farm. Later he bought several pieces of property and lived in Sharpsburg. Following the battle, the Otto and Sherrick Farms served as field hospitals, primarily for the men of the 9th Corps.
Eyewitness“After reaching the crest of the hill we had to pass over quite a stretch of ground before we commenced descending into a hollow lying between the ridge occupied by the enemy and ourselves. The enemy not only had a direct, but a cross fire on us. It was going down this slope that Col Clark [Col Melvin Clark, 36th Ohio, Crook’s Brigade] commanding the 36th was killed by a round shot that came from our left. It struck him sideways, just above the hips, tearing him almost in twain. He died almost instantly.”Colonel George Crook, 2nd Brigade, Kanawha Division Backtrack to the trail which follows Otto Lane south. You are paralleling the Union lines of battle.
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Last updated: February 24, 2021