The weapons were placed in the bunker which they had built the night before. The federals would arrive in the morning, just before the sun. Realising the government’s might and number, most believed they indeed would never again see the light of day… just as they had watched their brothers die days before on Missionary Ridge.

We had received word of General Cleburne’s retreat from the Union army. As a nurse, I had been ordered from Hamilton County to meet the troops, but… in actuality, I was searching for him, knowing that he would attempt to remain in Tennessee rather than retreat to Dalton. I found him here amongst the others who had been lost as General Thomas pushed through the Confederate line.

The federal troops would appear from that direction. Rather than retreat any further, they fought them… hiding us in the bunker. Inside, I could smell the smoke, hear the rifles… feel the bodies as they dropped onto the ground above.

Every last one.

Twenty-sixth of November. 1863.

I was here.

As were you.

This is the field where I watched you die.