Little Round Top

Little Round Top. A prominent rocky hill within the Gettysburg Battlefield, it became the scene of a pivotal defensive stand by Union Army forces on July 2, 1863, during the American Civil War. Its seizure and tenacious defense by troops including the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment under Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain helped secure the Army of the Potomac's vulnerable left flank. The successful action on its slopes is frequently cited as a critical factor in the ultimate Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Geography and topography

The hill is part of a geological formation of diabase rock within the Gettysburg Battlefield in Adams County, Pennsylvania. It lies directly south of its larger companion, Big Round Top, and offers a commanding, clear view of key terrain like the Wheatfield, Devil's Den, and the Valley of Death. Its western and southern slopes are notably steep and strewn with large boulders, while its crest is relatively open but rocky. This rugged topography presented a significant challenge to any direct infantry assault while providing natural defensive positions for defending soldiers.

Battle of Gettysburg

On the afternoon of July 2, 1863, Confederate forces under Lieutenant General James Longstreet launched a massive assault against the Union left flank. Recognizing the hill's vulnerability, Union Army Major General Gouverneur K. Warren urgently diverted Federal troops to its defense. The 20th Maine Infantry Regiment, part of Colonel Strong Vincent's V Corps brigade, anchored the extreme left of the Union line. After repelling repeated attacks by Confederate regiments including the 15th Alabama Infantry Regiment, and nearly exhausting their ammunition, Chamberlain ordered a famous bayonet charge that routed the attackers and secured the position.

Strategic importance

Control of the hill was crucial as it represented the absolute left flank of the entire Army of the Potomac's defensive fishhook formation. Had Confederate forces under generals like John Bell Hood or Evander M. Law captured it, they could have enfiladed the entire Union line on Cemetery Ridge and potentially rolled up the army from the south. Its possession allowed Union artillery observers, including those from the U.S. Signal Corps, to direct effective fire against advancing Confederate formations across a wide front. The successful defense here directly contributed to the failure of Longstreet's assault and preserved the Union army's tactical cohesion for the subsequent defense against Pickett's Charge.

Preservation and monuments

The hill is now a central feature of Gettysburg National Military Park, administered by the National Park Service. Numerous regimental monuments and markers dot its slopes, including the prominent statue of Gouverneur K. Warren atop the summit. Key memorials honor the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment, the 44th New York Infantry Regiment, and the 83rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. Preservation efforts, historically championed by groups like the Grand Army of the Republic, ensure the landscape remains largely as it appeared in 1863, with walking trails and interpretive signs explaining the action.

In popular culture

The defense, particularly the actions of the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment, has been dramatized in several major works, most notably in Michael Shaara's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Killer Angels. Shaara's book served as the primary source for the depiction of the battle in Ronald F. Maxwell's film Gettysburg, where the character of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain is prominently featured. The site is also a frequent subject in documentary series such as those produced by the History Channel and is a central stop for visitors touring the Gettysburg Battlefield.

Category:American Civil War battlefields Category:Landforms of Adams County, Pennsylvania Category:Gettysburg Battlefield