The hilly terrain made it difficult for the Union commanders to establish adequate artillery emplacements. Along this part of the line, the Federal infantry, commanded by Brigadier General Thomas E.G. Ransom, required additional support. To provide it, artillerymen belonging to the 2nd Illinois Light Artillery dismantled two of their cannon (12 pounders) and, with the assistance of some of Ransom's infantrymen, dragged the guns over the hills to an earthwork about 100 yards from the Confederate trenches. Once reassembled, the cannon resumed bombarding the Southern lines.
Ransom's Gun Path Marker
NPS Photo
Private Albert D.J. Cashier was stationed in this vicinity with the 95th Illinois Infantry. Cashier served in the army for three years and participated in several major engagements. Almost fifty years after the war, Albert was injured in an accident and rushed to a hospital where doctors discovered that he was a she. Albert Cashier, whose real name was Jennie Hodgers, disguised herself as a man in 1862 and went off to fight in Mr. Lincoln's Army.
