Battle Between the Twentieth Maine and Fifteenth Alabama by George L. Kilmer Round-Top was the gateway to Gettysburg. There were so many key points on that field of varying fortunes that the mind may readily be confused as to the real importance of any one of them. Late in the afternoon of July 2 there was a hot race between Federal and Confederate troops for the first foothold upon the twin crests of Round-Top. The race ended in a battle for the possession of the heights.
History tells how the struggle ended.
This is a story of the encounter and of the men engaged. Some band of northmen stood in the imminent breach that day and hour of destiny. The Twentieth Maine claims that honor. In an address delivered on Round-Top at the dedication of the monument marking the position of the Twentieth Maine Captain Howard L. Prince of that regiment told the story from which I quote portions describing the fight. The Twentieth prolonged this line, facing generally toward the higher mountain and looking down into the comparatively open and smooth depression between the summits.