The Charge on Little Round Top

On July 2, 1863, also known as day 2 of the Battle of Gettysburg, Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, commander of the 20th Maine (a Union division), found himself forced to hold off advancing Confederates on Little Round Top.

In case you were wondering, Little Round Top is the smaller of two rocky hills south of Gettysburg. It is adjacent to a taller hill named, surprise of all surprises, Big Round Top (or sometimes Great Round Top).

Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain 

The Battle of Little Round Top was an unsuccessful assault by Confederate troops attempting to break the Union's left flank stationed on the hill. For the already weakened Union, Little Round Top was a decisive victory, considered by some to be the best part of the Union's second day. It was there that the 20th Maine fought throughout the day, ending with a dramatic downhill bayonet charge that would earn Chamberlain the Medal of Honor.

Despite numerous casualties, the 20th Maine held off two charges made by the 15th Alabama and various other Confederate regiments for about ninety minutes. Low in both soldiers and ammunition as a final charge came forward, Chamberlain order the remaining men to "fix bayonets" and charge down Little Round Top, a somewhat bizarre tactic even for the time period. However, it proved effective, stopping and capturing a large number of the 15th Alabama soldiers.

An artist rendition of the charge down Little Round Top

Chamberlain, who survived the war, eventually received the Medal of Honor for his part in the defense of Little Round Top. The citation read that it was awarded for "daring heroism and great tenacity in holding his position on the Little Round Top against repeated assaults, and carrying the advance position on the Great Round Top."

Yet, despite this favorable shift, the Union still remained in broken pieces and the battle would rage on for another day.

The view from Little Round Top today

Until next time.

XOXO, Kate