This image was taken from the edge of Cemetery Hill, looking east/northeast. The road leading southward to the Sherrick farm runs across the image in the distance; the thin tree line just beyond it marks the Boonsboro Turnpike.

At the time of the battle, the ground below was occupied by a cornfield. In the afternoon, Pickett's Brigade (commanded by R.B. Garnett) advanced into this cornfield to contest the advance of the Union IX Corps. The Confederates were overwhelmed,however, and forced back toward Sharpsburg along the entire line from just south of the Boonsboro Turnpike all the way down to Otto's 40 acre cornfield.

As can be seen from the photo, the position on Cemetery Hill is quite formidable. If properly defended, only a very determined assault could have taken it. As it was, Lee had already stripped this region of manpower to support his forces on the northern and middle regions of the battlefield.