Page:Decisive Battles Since Waterloo.djvu/281

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BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.
247

and seeing its weak points, directed General Warren to support him. Law moved on Little Round Top, and Robertson on Devil's Den. They advanced with the Southern yell, and attacked Ward, who resisted them with five regiments. A savage struggle on the slopes followed. Ward was falling back, when he was assisted by De Trobriand, who took Robertson on the flank. The First Texas, which threatened to capture Smith's battery, was driven back with great slaughter. Anderson advanced to strike De Trobriand's centre, was repulsed and in danger of capture, when he was saved by the arrival of Benning, whose three brigades renewed the attack with great vigor. Ward and De Trobriand, assisted by Smith's and Winslow's batteries, contested every foot of the way, but they were over-matched and began to fall back.

Law made a dash for the Round Tops with his Texas and Alabama veterans. The Fourth Maine, Fortieth New York, and Sixth New Jersey were waiting him in ambuscade, and resisted stoutly. All to no use, however, as the Confederate veterans advanced steadily. Ward weakened his line in supporting the retreat, and this forced De Trobriand to extend his left, leaving only two small regiments in his centre. They managed to repel Anderson's second assault, but fell back before Benning, who captured three pieces of Smith's artillery.

In the meantime McLaw's division was moving across the Emmettsburg road. At 5.30 Kershaw attacked the wooded hill occupied by De Trobriand's centre, and the Confederate guns fired from the Warfield Ridge against Humphreys' and Graham's brigades. Kershaw met Sweitzer's and Tilton's brigades, which Sykes had sent forward to reinforce De Trobriand, and drove them back in confusion. Warren, following Meade's instructions, climbed Little Round Top, and surveyed the country. He saw the Confederates advancing to capture it, and knew that it was undefended. Directing the signal