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After the battle for Little Round Top was over, there were still some Confederates on Big Round Top. They had been harassing the Union troops as far away as the Wickert House on Taneytown Road. Finally, the 3rd Brigade of the Pennsylvania Reserves along with the 20th Maine stormed and captured Big Round Top. Which Corn-Fed unit was driven from there?
I believe it was elements of 4th Alabama. Don't quote me on that though.
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It appears that only the 15th and 47th Ala, reached the summit of BRT,as they chased a small band of Union sharpshooters.
The 4th Ala. moved with the 4th and 5th Texas along the western slope as they moved toward the southern face of LRT.
It looks like the 15th and 47th stopped at the summit for a bit, then moved down BRT toward Vincent's position on LRT. The 47th moved first, followed by the 15th Ala.
To me, that shooting would be more likely by the 15th Ala, but.....it could have been either or both regiments.
Nothing is said about anyone being left at the summit of LRT, but I am using Gettysburg-Day Two-A Study in Maps, by John Imhof. I think we can safely say that it was more likely one of these 2 units and not the 4th Ala. But, then again, I could be wrong. Maybe Kelly can help us here.
Chuck in Il.
I just went thru Coddington. 1st Colonel Rice was ordered to take BRT, who suggested that some regiments of Col. Fisher's Third Brigade of the Penns. Reserves could do the job, but Fisher 'demured' and referred the matter to General Crawford, who was busy on another part of the field.
Crawford finally came over and agreed that BRT should be taken and ordered Fisher to take it. Fisher took his time in getting started. Rice became impatient and ordered Chamberlain to storm the hill. He woke up his men and led them up the hill in the dark to the summit. The Confederates offered little resistance. After a considerable delay 2 of Fisher's regiments, finding a back road up the hill, came up in support of the 20th Maine. So it appears that the 20th Maine actually secured the summit of BRT.
No mention is made of which Confederate unit or units were on the summit. I'll look thru my Getts material and see if I can find anything, unless, as mentioned in the earlier post, Kelly can help us here. It will probably be Monday before I can check, as I'm off, in the morning, to another re-enactment not far from me.
Chuck in Il.
Pulled up a copy of Law's Alabama Brigade, Laine and Penny, White Main 1996.
15th Alabama rallied on BRT around 9 pm. Skirmished with 2 USSS. Law's Bde was withdrawn to the base of the hill to form it's new line. About midnite the Bde attempted to send picketts back towards the top of the hill, under the Bde Adjutant, Cpt Thomas Christian. They were captured by the 20th Maine who had just arrived.
Gettysburg Magazine #19 pg. 89, in an article about Fisher's Brigade at Gettysburg by Bradley M. Gottfried. "but Big Round Top contained only some men from Col. Willian C. Oates' 15th and 47th Alabama regiments, and 'perhaps' some from Brig. Gen. Jerome Robertson's Brigade."
If any of Robertson's Brigade were there it would most likely be men from the 4th and 5th Texas. One of the articles I read today also indicated that Oates said he saw some of the 47th head back up BRT after they broke in front of the 20th Maine, and of course, its in one of the Getts Mags I read but I can't remember in which one. I can try to dig it back out if anyone needs the info.
David, you get those back issues yet?
Chuck in Il.
My wife's great great grandfather Hershel Glenn was in the 15th Alabama that day under Col. William Oates. It's curious that Col. Chamberlain who had a fancy degree and was later governor of Maine became a movie star and received considerable press and is still talked about today. Poor old Bill Oates who had been in jail a time or two and took a few years to pass the bar exam in Alabama also became governor of his state. To the victor apparently go the spoils. The 15th Alabama fought their way to Glory on several occasions and are worth the read. Men from Pike, Barbour and Dale counties in southeast Alabama.
__________________ Ancestors in US Army: 13th TN Cav; 10th TN Cav; 3rd NC Inf
Ancestors in CSA Army: 48th VA; 63rd VA, 5th NC Cav; 37th NC
Wife and Grandson's CSA: 15th AL, 51st GA, 41st TN; 36th TN; GA Mil 1197 Dist
Ed Bearrs pointed out that Chamberlain thought highly of himself. He did deserve credit, but Bearrs also points out so does Strong Vincent who led the first troops up there. So does Weed who led his troops and sealed the breach when the 16th Mich. got overrun. So does the 1st Minn for holding back the Corn-feds. So does a lot of other officers and men that day.
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He did deserve credit, but Bearrs also points out so does Strong Vincent who led the first troops up there. So does Weed who led his troops and sealed the breach when the 16th Mich. got overrun. So does the 1st Minn for holding back the Corn-feds. So does a lot of other officers and men that day.
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