This photo shows the northern summit of Nicodemus ridge, as viewed from what was the northern boundary of the North Woods. When the woods were present, they would have obscured this view of the ridge; however, the appearance of the ridge would have been similar to this photo for Union troops emerging from the woods only about 50 yards south of this point.

Because of the prominent nature of this ridge, it is sometimes referred to as 'the Little Round Top of Antietam' because, like its namesake at Gettysburg, it is the key to the entire defensive position on the battlefield. If Hooker had directed his attack further to the west and secured this ridge, it is hard to imagine how the Confederate line could have had any hope to hold. By ignoring it, Hooker not only passed up a chance to take the best position on the northern part of the battlefield, but he also allowed the enemy the luxury of making good use of it.