Gettysburg Battlefield - Railroad Cut

A Brief History: Railroad Cut is a location on the Gettysburg Battlefield in Pennsylvania right off Reynolds Avenue by the 95th New York and 6th Wisconsin Infantry Monuments. The Railroad Cut was a prime spot on the 1st day of battle during the battle of Gettysburg due to its tactical location being just north of McPherson Farm and cutting right through McPherson ridge as well as Seminary Ridge, two key locations that would help determine the outcome of the battle. After the first shots were fired on July 1st, 1863 at McPherson Farm were fired the Confederate’s 42nd Mississippi, 2nd Mississippi, and 55th North Carolina Infantry under Lieutenant Colonel Rufus R. Dawes attacked McPherson Ridge at the North Side of the Railroad Cut. Caught slightly off guard by this charge, Union troops from the 56th Pennsylvania and 76th New York Infantry’s led by Brigadier General Lysander Cutler quickly rushed to mount a defense. Cutler called the 147th New York Infantry back to help defend from the confederate attack as well as Hall’s Battery, which was in danger of falling to the confederates. Getting pushed back, Cutler calls on the 6th Wisconsin Infantry to come and assist, however they would not be able to make it in time and Union soldiers are forced to retreat losing almost all of the 147th New York Infantry, after they failed to receive the order to retreat, and some of Hall’s Battery.

         On the south side of the railroad cut Union soldiers from the 95th New York and the 6th Wisconsin Infantry prepare to attack the victorious confederates North of the cut. Wanting to hold their new gains the Confederate Infantry jump into the railroad cut and prepare to defend from the Union troops, however this turns out to be both a strategic position as well as a hazardous trap. Union troops charge north toward the cut and are gunned down by Confederate soldiers however the tide soon changes, and the Union soldiers make it to the cut. Confederate soldiers had no way to retreat or fight back, and they became trapped as Union soldiers fired upon them. Confederate troops attempted to make a disorderly retreat but eventually had to surrender. This would be the first infantry win for the Union during the battle of Gettysburg. Approximately 300 Confederate Soldiers were captured and approximately another 300 were killed.

Haunted History: There have been reports of strange temperature increases/decreases. People claim to hear a woman's voice while alone as well as footsteps charging at you from many different directions. There is also the sound of cannon fire when there should not be as well as soldiers appearing and disappearing that can be heard and seen throughout the battlefield.