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Confederate forces under the command of Gen. Heth encounter the Union cavalry of Gen. John Buford. Buford's and Reynold's men would slow the Confederate advance here around the Lutheran Seminary. although they lost their position, their efforts delayed the Confederate advance enough to allow the Union army to occupy and fortify along Cemetery Ridge, extending 3-5 miles from Cemetery Hill in the north to Little Round Top in the South.
This is a really unique landscape. Rugged boulders just seem to thrust themselves up from the ground. Some of the most horrific fighting took place on the second Day of fighting as Confederates surged towards the southern flank of the Union line. After fighting their way through this Devil's Den and the rocky gully that became known as the Valley of Death. The Bad News for the Confederates: It was here that Confederate Gen. "Sam" Hood was wounded. Even worse news for the Confederates, after winning Devil's Den, their task was to charge up and over Little Round Top.
"Now we'll see how professors fight." And they sure can fight. The small wooded hill known simply as Little Round Top would play a pivotal role in the battle of Gettysburg. In fact, the actions of the men who defended this hill on July 2, 1863, may have indeed saved the Army of the Potomac and the Union. Several regiments defended this land "to the last" - but it is the 20th Maine Regiment that receives the most credit for the day. Led by Lt. Col. Joshua Chamberlain, professor of classic literature, rhetoric and ancient languages, the 20th Maine was the extreme flank - the end of the Union line. When ammunition ran out, and orders forbid retreat, Chamberlain ordered a bayonet charge down the hill that saved the day, hill, the line, and perhaps the entire Union.
On July 3, 1863, General Robert E. Lee ordered a final charge en masse toward the center of the Union line. He believed the center of the to be weakened from the Union reinforcement of their flanks. Nearly 15, 000 Confederate soldiers will march nearly a mile in 90 degree heat - the entire distance while under fire of Union artillery. Although the task was officialy given to Gen. James Longstreet, who stongly opposed the attack, the attack will bear the name of Gen. George Pickett who was the operational commander. Divisions under Pettigrew, Pickett and Kemper as well as others will particpate. Over half of the 15,000 will be killed or wounded. The battalion led by General Lewis Armistead will temporarily breach the wall at The Angle but are unable to hold or penetrate further. This is considered to be the "High Water Mark" of the Confederacy.
