Grey Ghost
05-05-2014, 12:23pm
I visited part of the battlefield about 20 yrs. ago. Would like to go back someday.
Highlights
The Battle of The Wilderness Summary & Facts | Civilwar.org (http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/the-wilderness.html?tab=facts)
Pics
The Wilderness (http://www.civilwar.org/photos/galleries/wilderness/wilderness-battlefield.html)
The Wilderness was one of the most horrific of all Civil War battlefields. The timber was dry, and caught fire easily. As the battle swung back and forth through the woods, many of the wounded were left behind, only to be killed by those forest fires. Many could hear the screams of the wounded being burned alive in the fires.
"I saw many wounded soldiers in the Wilderness who hung on to their rifles, and whose intention was clearly stamped on their pallid faces. I saw one man, both of whose legs were broken, lying on the ground with his cocked rifle by his side and his ramrod in his hand, and his eyes set on the front. I knew he meant to kill himself in case of fire—knew it is surely as though I could read his thoughts."
Private Frank Wilkeson
Highlights
The Battle of The Wilderness Summary & Facts | Civilwar.org (http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/the-wilderness.html?tab=facts)
Pics
The Wilderness (http://www.civilwar.org/photos/galleries/wilderness/wilderness-battlefield.html)
The Wilderness was one of the most horrific of all Civil War battlefields. The timber was dry, and caught fire easily. As the battle swung back and forth through the woods, many of the wounded were left behind, only to be killed by those forest fires. Many could hear the screams of the wounded being burned alive in the fires.
"I saw many wounded soldiers in the Wilderness who hung on to their rifles, and whose intention was clearly stamped on their pallid faces. I saw one man, both of whose legs were broken, lying on the ground with his cocked rifle by his side and his ramrod in his hand, and his eyes set on the front. I knew he meant to kill himself in case of fire—knew it is surely as though I could read his thoughts."
Private Frank Wilkeson