Stories of Our Soldiers Volume 2; War Reminiscences (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893 Excerpt: ... the Fifth Corps--tho regulars of the United States Army--took the place of Caldwell, losing one-half its numbers in a very short time. While thus watching the contest Gen. Warren, chief engineer, came upon Little Round Top. He glanced at the situation and exclaimed, "This is the key to the position. It must be held." The Confederates at the moment were making their way around the extreme left from the Union line hold by the Fourth Maine. Too many bullets were whistling through the air or striking upon the rocks to make it altogether a comfortable place for a correspondent. I therefore deemed it prudent to find some other place of observation. I left the spot with Gen. Warren, ne riding rapidly down to Gen. Vincent, commanding a brigade in the Fifth Corns, and on his own responsibility directing him to take possession of Little Bound Top, and also sending Hazlitt's Battery. I rode to Meade's headquarters. A few minutes later the storm burst forth with great fury on Little Round Top. The Confederates had driven the Union troops across the "valley of death" and taken possession of the Devil's Den. Some of them secreted themselves in the crevices of the rocks and began to pick off the Union officers. Vincent's Brigade went upon the run Ud the hill, the left flank leading. The Twentieth Maine under Col. Chamberlain held the left. The Confederates crept up the hill and through the gap between Little Round Top and the higher elevation beyond, compelling Chamberlain to form his line in the shape of the letter U, facing three ways. Little Bound Top was a sheet of flame. Robertson's Confederate Brigade--the farthest advanced--suddenly received a volley which was fired by a squad of sharpshooters on Great Bound Top. Their regiment bad been disorga...