Colonel's Hill Battle Analysis

Meanwhile, Union Brigadier Caldwell advances three brigades from 1st division led by Colonel's Cross, Zook and Patrick Kelly, the Irish brigade, along with John Brooke's brigade in reserves Throughout the intense fighting, Colonel Cross was seriously wounded being shot in the stomach while bringing his troops through the waist high wheat, now Sergeant Phelps takes command. Furthermore, Colonel Zook is knocked off his horse and also shot in the abdomen and dies while trying to advance his men through the field. However, notwithstanding the loses, the three brigades push the Confederates off the hill, out of the field into Rose Woods and the Union gains control of the battlefield.

The next crisis develops on the far side of the Unions left at Little Round Top, which had been left unprotected and the Confederates immediately march towards. If the Southerners took control here they could

perilously command the entire Union left center, however, just in the nick of time, General Warren's men scurry and fight with guns roaring, top the hill and prevent a disaster. Meanwhile, another immense struggle develops between Colonel Chamberlains 20th Maine and an Confederate Alabama brigade are sent to displace them. As Chamberlain's ammunitions were running low and his men falling around him, he gave the orders to fix their bayonets and charge. Running down the slopes, the Alabamans are surprised and drop their guns and surrender, while others just run off. The Union again has become victorious.

As the evening draws near both sides are exhausted and stop fighting for the night.

Meade and his generals meet at the widow Lydia Leister home on the Taneytown Road. The men are dirty and exhausted after fighting the long day. Meade plans his strategy for the next days battle. They discuss different viewpoints of the battle so far and the positions at Cemetery Ridge. He also must shift the troops to the threatening areas, including Culp's Hill. To reinforce Greene's New Yorkers, it was imperative that the Twelfth Corps return to Culp's Hill thereby driving out the threat to his left. Unknown to the Confederates, only a few hundred yards from the Baltimore Pike were the main supply and communications to the Union Army positions. Meade knew he had to block the Confederates opportunity here as soon as possible. The question is raised, should the Army of the Potomac attack or defend their current positions? Consequently, it was decided to stay at Gettysburg and wait for Lee to attack, if Lee didn't then Meade would counterattack and force Lee to either fight or

leave.

In the meantime, Lee disappointed with the day's events realized his gamble of attacking the Unions flanks had not paid off. His losses were great and the Union still held along Cemetery Ridge. Lee was determined the next day to strike Meade's flank again and threaten their position on Cemetery Hill and the Baltimore Pike. By first light, Lee wants the attack to continue and consents to Johnson being reinforced. Later that evening Lee is surprised when General Jeb Stuart finally arrives at Lee's headquarters to report on his success of capturing Federal stores and wagons in riding behind the Yankee Army. Lee is furious and begins to reprimand Stuart for leaving him and not keeping him informed of the Unions positions during the past week. Eventually Lee cools off and states to Stuart, "I need you to help me fight these people." Lee changes the subject and begins to give his cavalry chiefs orders for the next day.