Page:Decisive Battles Since Waterloo.djvu/283

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BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.
249

Carolina dashed for Clark's and Bigelow's guns, and were repulsed by the One Hundred and Forty-first Pennsylvania. Just then Caldwell's division of the 2d corps arrived, having been hurried forward by Meade. Cross' brigade supported De Trobriand, and Kelly's brigade supported Ward. The latter was Meagher's old Irish brigade; it rushed into the fight with its well-known gallantry, and at once stopped Anderson's advance. Cross advanced against Kershaw, and forced him back on Semmes' brigade. Cross was killed. Semmes' fresh troops returned the attack but were met by Caldwell's second line, composed of Zook's and Brook's brigades, and driven back with Kershaw to the other side of the ravine.

Weed relieved O'Rorke's tired men, and reached the summit of Little Round Top just as Vincent fell. Law pushed forward to a third attack, and tried to out-flank the Union line by way of the eastern side of the ridge. He was met by the hardy backwoodsmen of the Twentieth Maine and forced back in a hand-to-hand encounter.

The field of battle now grew more extensive. McLaws advanced against the orchard, which Graham occupied with two brigades. Barksdale attacked the west flank and Wofford the south front.

Graham found himself in a very hot position, and his loss was great. He was wounded and taken prisoner, and his troops were driven from the orchard and down the slope. Sickles hastened to his aid, when a bullet struck him in the leg and he was forced to transfer the command to Birney.

The Union batteries on the right, along the Emmettsburg road, retired sullenly, firing as they went. Barksdale, following up his victory, pushed in between Humphreys and Barnes, while Wofford attacked their flank on the east. Anderson's three brigades moved against Humphreys' front. Humphreys retreated with his two brigades in good order. He left nearly half of his men dead and wounded on the field.