The Peach Orchard

When George Meade arrived at the battlefield, before sunrise on July 2, he asked General Hancock if this was a good place to fight.  Hancock, who was instrumental in setting up the defenseive line, said that it was a good place.  Meade agreed and the stage was set for Day 2.  The left side of the Union line ran south from Cemetary Hill to Little Round top.  General Daniel Sickles, a man who later in life would help to create the National Park, was in charge of the Union Third Corps, which was responsible for much of that part of the line.  Sickles ddin't like the position.  Too low in places, he thought.  So he moved his entire corps about a mile forward to the high ground around this peach orchard.  When the Confederate attack, commanded by James Longsteet started, it hit here.  With no support on either side Sickles had no chance.  His men were steadily forced back toward Cemetary Ridge.  Meade sent reinforcements to plug the gap and prevent a breakthrough.