Having gamed the First Day's Battle (covered in earlier Blogs), it was time to move to the Second Day. With Cigar Box printing a Battle Mat for the southern portion of the Battle, the challenge was on.
The view of the battlefield. looking east over the Confederate lines. At the top right is Big Round Top (tree covered); Little Round Top at Top Left. The Devil's Den, at the Right End of Houck's Ridge, is seen just below Little Round Top with Plum Run above and Rose Run below, joining together to the right of Devil's Den. Timber Farm Left Edge, with Slyder Farm in Center. The Emmittsburg Road at the Bottom Edge.The troops belong to Hood's Division, Longstreet First Corps, of the Army of Northern Virginia.
The view remains from the East, but a little further north. You can still see Little Round Top and Devil's Den at Top, with Timber Farm at Center. The famous Wheatfield is located Left Center (light colored field) with Stoney Hill below it and between the Rose Farm nearer the Emmittsburg Road along bottom. The Peach Orchard and Wentz Farm House are seen at the Left Bottom Edge. Confederate Gun Line can be seen at the very Bottom of Photo...
The view changes to the North with the edge of the Peach Orchard and Wentz Farm House at Lower Right Corner. Stoney Hill Lower Center and Wheatfield on Lower Left. Houck's Ridge is on Left Edge with Devil's Den Upper Left Corner. Federal Troops on the Ridge, belong to Ward's Brigade of Birney's Division, Sickles Third Corps, Army of the Potomac. In the Wheatfield and barely visible at the Southern Edge of Stoney Hill the troops belong to de Trobriand's Brigade also of Birney's Division. Rose Run can be seen coming from Stoney Hill to its joining with Plum Run in Upper Left Corner...
View still from the North, but further East. Taneytown Road runs top to bottom on Left, with Big Round Top (top) and Little Round Top (center). Houck's Ridge is seen at Right Edge with Devil's Den at southern tip (Right Center). The Slyder Farm House can be seen Right Top and the G. Weikert Farm House at Lower Right. The J. Weikert Farm House is Left Center (and needs to be moved to the West of the Road) with the Bricker Farm House below it. Federal troops are from Sykes Fifth Corps that were rushed to the area to support Sickles overextended line. Vincent's Brigade (inc 20th Maine) is just beginning to march up the Hill while Weed's Brigade is moving along the Wheatfield Road (from Left to Right). Two Artillery Batteries are also seen including Hazlett's heading up Little Round Top.
Final view is from the East, with the Taneytown Road running Left to Right with the Round Tops located above it. The J. Weikert Farm House at Center
Federal forces located initially on this southern portion of the Gettysburg Battlefield included the green-clad 2nd U.S.Sharpshooters formed by Berdan with Breechloading Rifles. They started as skirmishers along the Slyder farm fences west of the Round Tops..
De Trobriand's Brigade, belonging to Birney"s Division, Sickles III Corps, was stationed at the southern edge of the Wheatfield (17th Maine-left edge), and on southern edge of Stoney Hill. On a personal note, my latest family research discovered my 3rd Great Uncle on Mother's side, Sergeant James H. Loring, was the Color Guard member carrying the State Flag. Actually have a miniature of him on the left stand! Sadly he was killed later in the fight at the center of the Wheatfield with a bullet to the forehead!..
Ward's Brigade, also of Birney's Division, stationed here along Houck's Ridge ending in Devil's Den (top) was initially General Meade's left Flank. That would quickly change as you will see in next photo. Smith's NY Artillery Btr was located at the southern end of Ward's line with, one section of two guns in the "Valley of Death" which is between Devil's Den and Little Round Top (to the left of photo)...
Fortunately for the Union forces that day, General Warren, Meade's chief engineer was atop Little Round Top and noticed Rebel forces in the woods west of him. Realizing the importance of that Hill, he quickly located troops to move onto Little Round Top. Here is Strong Vincent's Brigade beginning its climb up the northeast slope of that hill. 20th Maine is at head of the column, commanded by Colonel Chamberlain, made famous by the film "Gettysburg (which I highly recommend)...
Located just north of Vincent's position is Weed's Brigade, also of General Sykes V Corps. The Wheatfield and "Valley of Death" are located to the right of photo, while Little Round top is above photo...
Forces of the Confederacy include Hood's (center of photo) Division with the Texas Brigade (Robertson), including two regiments, 4th and 5th Texas seen here in front-left rank; Law's Brigade making up the right front rank and second rank; and Benning's Brigade in support...
Left hand elements of the Texas Brigade, consisting of the (l-r), 3rd Arkansas and 1st Texas (remainder of the Brigade is to the right of photo); Anderson's Brigade in support. Yes the Texas Brigade divided itself as they approached the Federal lines, which would cost them dearly...
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