The Battle of Gettysburg is etched into American history, a turning point of the Civil War. Amidst the chaos and bravery, the events on Little Round Top stand out as a testament to courage under fire. But a persistent question lingers for many, a puzzle that continues to intrigue historians: Who Ordered The Charge On Little Round Top, and what were the motivations behind it? This article aims to shed light on this pivotal moment.
The Controversial Assault on Little Round Top
The question of “Who Ordered The Charge On Little Round Top” is complex because the actions on that fateful day, July 2, 1863, involved a series of unfolding events and decisions, rather than a single, clear-cut command. The charge itself wasn’t a planned, large-scale offensive ordered by a high-ranking general at the outset. Instead, it largely stemmed from the desperate circumstances and the initiative of subordinate commanders on the ground. The Union forces, particularly the 20th Maine Infantry under Colonel Joshua Chamberlain, were defending a crucial piece of high ground. The Confederate assault on this position was fierce and relentless. The importance of holding Little Round Top cannot be overstated; its capture by the Confederacy would have exposed the Union flank and potentially led to a devastating defeat for the Army of the Potomac.
The charge that is often referenced in this context is not a single grand movement, but rather the Confederate assaults against the Union lines on the slopes of Little Round Top. Specifically, elements of Major General John Bell Hood’s division, part of Lieutenant General James Longstreet’s corps, were tasked with taking the hill. Within Hood’s division, Brigadier General Evander Law’s brigade was among the first to engage. The orders given to these Confederate units were to advance and seize the objective. However, the specific “order” for the final, desperate rushes that nearly broke the Union lines were often issued by brigade and regimental commanders directly facing the enemy, reacting to the evolving battlefield situation.
It’s crucial to understand the chain of command and the fluidity of battle:
- Confederate High Command: General Robert E. Lee ordered Longstreet’s corps to attack the Union positions.
- Longstreet’s Corps: Longstreet, in turn, directed Hood’s division to assault the Union right flank, which included Little Round Top.
- Hood’s Division: General Hood, personally present and wounded during the fighting, urged his troops forward.
- Brigade and Regimental Commanders: Generals like Law and colonels within their brigades made the immediate decisions to press the attack as they saw opportunities or faced overwhelming pressure.
The most famous “charge” associated with Little Round Top is arguably the final desperate push by the 15th Alabama Infantry, led by Colonel William C. Oates. His regiment, having suffered heavy casualties and with their ammunition nearly spent, launched a final, almost suicidal assault up the rocky slopes. Oates himself later wrote about the immense pressure and the lack of clear, specific orders for such a final, costly endeavor. The success of the Union defense, particularly the 20th Maine’s bayonet charge, thwarted these desperate Confederate efforts. The decision to order these charges, therefore, is a confluence of top-down directives for the general assault and the on-the-spot decisions of commanders facing the brutal realities of combat.
The story of Little Round Top is a powerful illustration of battlefield initiative and the role of subordinate leaders in shaping the course of a battle. To truly grasp the nuances of the events and the bravery displayed, delve deeper into the detailed accounts of this critical engagement.