The National tribune., 1891-11-19

Discussion OF the Movements About the Round
Tops.

blAchhsiun OF thc Movements about TIE Round
Tops
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Permit ne
TO reply 10 the question found in Picket
Shots Of Oct, j, propounded by Thomas Hog
gins, OF San Antonio, Tex The question Is;
Which one of the Contending armies -
formed ON the line OF the coveted spot called
Little Round Topg"
The position occupied by the Union army
on the Gettysburg battlefield after the defeat
OF the First Corps west Of Gettysburg, July ],
was ms follows from right 10 left:
The Twelfth Corps on the extreme right at
Culp's iliL then the First Corps on the left Of
the Twelfth, the Eleventh Corps, the Second
Corps, and the Ihrd Corps; the last being on
the extreme lc.tof the line chosen by Gen.
Meade 40 the Round TOPS
Cen SlcNlc-, commanding the Third Corps,
Tor some reason that has never been satisiac-
toriIy explained, advanced his command lHlly
onc-hail mile TO The front; or, In plain terms,
took mp new lIHc on the LmmItsbUrg road,
One-hali mile in advance of the Round Tops,
thus throwing bis corps in echelon to the
front
The Fifth Corps arriving on the ground dur
ing The forenoon oi the "a, was placed in the rear
al the Third Corps and at supporting distance
from the Round Tops supposed % be the posi-
tion Of the Third Corps and were possibly
placed there 90 prevent the enemy from taking
the Round Tops la case an effort 20 do 50 wero
made, and the troops already covering their
front should bo overwhelmed.
The sequel proves that In point of general
ship aud necessary procauti0n the plan was
Wen devised, for he Round Tops were really
/ the key 20 the whole battle-ground. The Sixth
/ Corps coming up last WAS placed as reserve la
/ the rear cnutcr 81 the Union line, whence IL
could easily reinforce any point on the line.
The cavalry, Bul0rd and kIpatricl, held
] positions on the extreme TANKS of the army.
ss Inv afr an
the line IN their proper positions, may assume
/ that no considerable force occupied Little
/ Round Top directly, although two batteries
were placed in position on IT, with proper sup
/ port in their front and rear; and itmay also be
said that the Fifth Corps held the Round
Tops
At about 4 o'clock the attack on Sicklos in
his position at the Peach Orchard, or on the
/ Lmm tsburg road, was made the enemy doubt
less pre,umug that the Third Corps on ac-
. count oi is advanced location, could be de-
] stoycd before rCiuiOrccmguts could be brought
/ up.
The troops composing the Third CORPS fought
yoliautly, but on account Of overwhelming
4 numbers Oh tac part OF The enemy were finally
/ driven back, slowly 80 first but surely. At
/ TINS lunClurC the Fifth tOTYs WAS ordered to
F.. form junction with Hancock Second Corps
4 ON their left which was promptly done; Still
the crest of Little Round Top was not la posses
because Of tho rugged and rocky ascent on
either 'front.' the batteries In position as stated
/ above, having been drawn thlher by hand
While the above movement was being made
/ Sicklcs's Third Corps was leaving the field in
front Of the Round Top either by the road
leading up between the Round Tops or were
doubled up in front of HancOCk's left Gen
] Sykes, commanding the Fifth Corps was now
ordered 10 advance with bis diS i6iOn OF Regu-
/ lars and check tie cnomy, who were, seem
lngiy, intent on taking possession of Little
/ Round Top The Regulars advanced calamity,
and for short space checked the eHemy's ad-
/ vance, but all other troops On their left flank
/ having fallen back, aud their left thus uupro-
! tccted aud haTd-pressed on front and flank
I they retired; Iallying occasionally 10 Ere a
I yolley bat finally they broke and fell back ia
! disorder.
] Al this juncture the Third Division. Fifth
] Corps Pennsylvania Reserves were hurried 10
! double-quick 10 Little Round Top, forming
I lihe First Brigade only on the crest Of that
bin on its northern slope, the left resting near
I the summit
From this position we coala easily sec the
] field OF eCkIcsa defeat and when we had
/ formed VIC saw the Regulars coming out q the
/ Nhelihcld all dcmoHlized. We heard the
rCbe shout Of victory above tho roar Of the guns
/ on our left and o. HaHcocl's men on Our right
. Presently the Ldttlr-ClOud Of smoke lifted:
I then we saw the rebel horde coming on Ia hot
1 pursuit Oh our lccing troops, the Regulars being
4 the last 20 leave the ground.
We had sluug kuapsacks and knew lust what
4 was expected Of M. Some minutes were spent
\ evidently waiting until our own troops should
withdraw from our front which they soon did
Y many Of them passing through our lines as we
stood awaiting the word Then in a clear and
commanding voice we heard: Attention -
/ Fire no wiz followed by the command Of
each subordinate officer I'M The brigade Scy.
erHl distinct yolcys with rolling thunder Of
musECiry were stopped short by Change bayO.
nets Forward aud none too soon, for now
! tEe enemy bad reached IN numbers the foot Of
/ tho bin, so yards below Us.
AT the uctuueZpcctCd command we spranp
/ forward with Almighty shout. and with the same
lmpCtuOus l0gCgiul denomination that had on
many former OrcH ious proved q power ire
satiOlc we sweet down the slope, over rocks
and other ob-unrioug met the enemy, aud
turned them % G glt
True, The contest was terrible fora few mo.
mcuts. Rebel officers with most reckless
daring sword in hand, threw themselves at
/ the head OF their troops and urged them for
ward. Vain attempt The avalanche swept
I on aud carried al before H. Nor was a halt
called until we reached the eastern border Of
F. the MbCatllld. 500 yards, we should say. from
the crest Of Little Round Top
a Little la'cr in the evening the Third Bril-
I gadc Pennsylvania Reserves assisted by other
troops cleared Big Round Top Of the enemy in
the sumo manner 10 other attempt TO Take
this key 70 The battlefield was made during the
battle, aud this brigade 81 Pennsylvania he.
serves held tHe ground secured by their charge
until alter hcEetla charge on the evening 81
The Sd when they made au al vance which was
in the nature 81 q charge sweeping forward
over The hueatieId aud into the woods IN
front 20 The extreme western border Of the
same, capturing many prisoners aud 5000
stands OF arms. This was the closing Work Of
the battle 81 Gettysburg.
Perhaps Emanuel FaNlles, Of Co. x, 4th Pa.
Reserves, Parker Ford, Pa, will also fad an
answer 10 bis question, If his eyes fail on this
article.
may say, in closing that had the honor Of
commanding Go. *, lst Pa. Reserves, " tie
boys WHO fought al Gettysburg their own
home tbat aad company was ia the charge
above reieulG TO- aud that ] write as one ac.
quaIuted with the Geld, Gettysburg having
been nay home from boy hood.-H y. MINNIGu.
Duncausyl4c, PA.
SPOTTSYLVANIA.