Confederate attack on Little Round Top

[whitworth]

We know the cost to Confederate infantry in their attack on the Little Round Top area on July 2nd and 3rd.

But was the objective, defensible by the Confederates? Could Confederate infantry hold Little Round Top, if it was captured? Without artillery?

Could the ANV bring up artillery, if much of Cemetery Ridge and Cemetery Hill remained in Union control, with their artillery located there? Could the Confederate infantry sustain a lodgment near AoP lines with their inferior artillery?

Has anyone seen a study of this issue?

[ole]

The value of Little Round Top was only in that it marked the extreme edge of Union forces. Seems that it was all but useless as a base for artillery. It might be that posessing it gave access to the Union's back door and supply line, but I don't see how that access could have been expoited.

Interesting question. Let's see what the others have to say.

ole

[OpnDownfall]

Lee's intentions are so murky, that it is difficult to discern how important the RT's were to him. From the record it seems they did not play any important part in his planning of Longstreet's attack.
The 'only' reason LRT was attacked at all, apparently, was the initiative taken by Hood to extend his right to get around the unexpected Union forces in the Devil's Den area. In the process, disobeying Longstreet's explicit orders.
Capturing LRT was not Hood's intent, getting over and around it so that he could attack the rear of Union forces defending the extreme right of the Union defenses.(Sickle's corps).

[larry_cockerham]

Taking little roundtop would have at least kept Jeff Daniel's off tv! Our Alabama boys could have given the defense of the place one helluva try. Not enough bullets, men were getting scarce as well. There were more than enough yanks up the ridge to have retaken the summit. JEB Stuart and a few hundred cavalrymen showing up at the right time to the east might have made things interesting, at least for a while. Not being able to separate the main line with Pickett's advance was the problem. I'm with Ole and the others, the day was done as far as the roundtops were concerned.

[Dred]

I don't believe they had enough impetus to hold them.. but as the NY regiments were out of ammo as well... how much could they have rolled up before the Yanks reinforced the remaining flank? Alot of damage could have been cause d and a panic could have stripped forces away from the other side where they were also needed. THen the middle truly might have been weekend for day 3.

[gary]

If the Confederates captured Little Round Top, they would have flanked the Union and compelled Meade to withdraw. Meade could form new defensive lines, but he'd be restricted as to the road he use if he had to withdraw. The Emittsburg Road would have been controlled by the Confederates. The Taneytown Road was subject to rifle fire from the Round Tops. This leaves only the Baltimore Pike was available for retreat. If that was captured, Meade would have been encircled, his army demoralized and perhaps even compelled to surrender.

[whitworth]

"If the Confederates captured Little Round Top, they would have flanked the Union and compelled Meade to withdraw."


I doubt this would have happened. First, we know that Little Round Top would have not been captured easily and quickly. The Confederate infantry was unsupported by artillery. They certainly were low on musket ammunition.
Would Little Round Top be more than a lodgment, without the capture of the adjoining Cemetery Ridge?

Could Confederate infantry stay on Little Round Top without artillery? Could Lee get any artillery onto Little Round Top and would he, not knowing the strength of the AoP on Taneytown Road. The ANV was very careful not to lose any of their artillery, especially a battery.

One thing I think certain. Confederates on Little Round Top would not proceed and capture Taneytown Road. The AoP had their Reserve Artillery nearby in fields off Taneytown Road. Confederate infantry, without artillery, against AoP artillery and infantry would not have worked.

The Confederate attack on Little Round Top had one great disadvantage. It was not an attack in depth. It could not proceed beyond the protection of their artillery. If Confederate artillery cannot get onto Little Round Top, or be effective there, the captured objective is at best a lodgment; a lodgment that at best was temporary. Without the adjoining capture of Cemetery Ridge, I have high doubts the Confederates would or could move artillery to Little Round Top.

[cw1865]

Originally Posted by whitworth

One thing I think certain. Confederates on Little Round Top would not proceed and capture Taneytown Road.

Well, to be precise, by being on Little Round Top, you might not fully control Taneytown Road, but you will Army of Potomac under fire if they attempt to use it, ie. by being there the road is no longer useful to Meade.

The problem is that just by being there, the Confederates would be between Meade and DC. The only way Meade could re-establish between ANV and AOP would be by pulling back through Baltimore Pike and then re-imposing himself between the Confederates and DC.

I do agree that the Confederates are going to have a hard time getting artillery up there.

PSYCHOLOGICALLY, do you think Union soldiers are going to stick on Cemetary Ridge looking to their left and knowing the Confederates are there?

[ole]

If a lodgement was made, and that's not impossible, what could it have done more than musketry to impede progress on Taneytown Road? (I'll take your words that it was within range and sight.)

Would there have been a brigade there? Seems that the other brigades were a bit tied up at the moment. On that road were several divisions of infantry. Beyond that road was the reserve artillery.

It is true that Confederate survivors were also looking at the right flank of the Federal Army some distance away on Cemetary Ridge. Could they (and they were low on ammunition with little hope of immediate re-supply) have posed a serious threat to that flank?

It is also true that the Federals on the ridge and hills were preoccupied with problems of their own, so Confederate occupation of Little Round Top might have caused some consternation.

Given that the Confederates' collective fangs had been pulled, and that Union troops and artillery had them virtually surrounded -- however occupied -- could there be any realistic possibility of turning the Federal left flank?

ole

[5fish]

Originally Posted by whitworth

"If the Confederates captured Little Round Top, they would have flanked the Union and compelled Meade to withdraw."


I doubt this would have happened. First, we know that Little Round Top would have not been captured easily and quickly.

.

Note: If the confederates had attacked early in the morning like at dawn, LRT would have fallen without much of a fight for it was lightly manned.

I agree with the Whitworth with the confederates holding LRT, Meade would have been forced to leave the field of battle in Lee's hands.