The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1909-05-25


stayed there until he was killed. The
passage Of those six guns through
roadless woods and up among the
jutting boulders of the height was
marvellous; nothing but the dash and
eagerness of the men to get into ac-
ton, together with their incredibly
skilful driving, could have planted
those cannon on the very summit of
Little Round Top.
The infantry were not far behind.
Among the regiments closing In to
seize the hilltop were the Forty-sev-
5enth and the Fifteenth Alabama of
the Confederate side; and of the
Union army, the Twentieth Maine.
commanded by Colonel Chamberlain,
which was an usually small regiment,
numbering only about three hundred
men. This little force had no sooner
reached the portion of the hillside
assigned to them, where they stood
painting from their exertions, than
they saw dense mass of Confeder-
ates coming toward them; for the
two strong Confederate regiments,
containing a thousand men, had been
ordered to turn the Union flank at ex-
actly that position Discerning in a
fash the grave peril of his command,
the Maine colonel quickly ordered five
companies to swing back until they
formed line at right angle to the
rest. At this instant the Alabamians
attacked them on front and flank,
opening with a murderous fire.
Colonel Chamberlain with drawn
sword moved up and down his lines.
The Rebel bullets whizzed necessarily
past him; his men were constantly
groaning and falling on every side.
Outnumbered more than three to one,
their position was terrible, and it was
apparently a hopeless one. Yet with
J dripping faces the men loaded and
fired their muskets, displaying the
cool experiences of true veterans.
Smoke walled them in and to some
extent concealed from the enemy the
terrible execution they were making
upon their thin, gaping battle front.
However, their Colonel never
thought of retreating. In the dense
smoke, the deafening and confusing
volleys, in the face of the rapidly APP
preaching humiliation of his COM
mand, Colonel Chamberlain thought
only of one thing, that the position
he held was of great Importance in
the battle. Retreat might mean the
destruction of an entire corps. 1t
was almost certain that supports
would be sent him sooner or later.
He was resolved never to yield
Yet half the regiment were gone;
hardly more than skirmish line was
| left him. The soldiers, having fired
the sixty rounds of cartridges they
had carried into the fight, were emp
tying the cartridge boxes of their
fallen comrades. A few minutes
longer and not man would be left
alive.
Colonel, let us charge themi We
will drive them off the hill" shouted
a lieutenant in hoarse voice.
Last Hope of the Defenders.
Chamberlain glanced at him in ad-
miration
This was the heroic spirit of his
men. Yes, why not charge them? he
! thought Suddenly, unexpectedly
even to himself, he gave the order:
Elk bayonets"
The command, "Charge!" was lost
in the deep, long drawn shout of the
desperate men; they leaped forward
and rushed down the hill. Striking
the enemy among the scattered trees
on the outskirt of the wood. they
closed in upon them with bayonets
and the butts of their guns.
OF the Confederates some fought
until they were killed; more, how
ever, acted as If thrown into panic
by the wild charge, and they ran for
their lives. Undoubtedly they sup
posed that strong Reinforcement
had reached the Union line, and that
this had caused the sudden attack.
The brave Maine regiment cap
tured three hundred prisoners, and
returned with them to the old posi-
ton, where they stayed until in the
last hours of that terrible summers
afternoon the victorious little COM
mand was thrust into the struggle
for the adjoining HILL Round Top.
Concerning their leader in this ex-
plot, it may be added that, besides
receiving the Medal of Honor at Get
he uyac of toruyouI AVON, ntnd