On the afternoon of July 2, 1863, during Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's attacks against Gen. George Meade's Union army, Little Round Top stood as the key position on the southern part of the battlefield and initially lay undefended as both sides sought control. Around 3:30 PM, Union Gen. G.K. Warren reached the summit and found the hill unoccupied, after which Union Col. Strong Vincent brought his 1,300-man brigade to the southern slope in response to calls for reinforcements. Moments later the Confederate attack struck, and Union artillery under Lt. Charles Hazlett rushed to the summit. Confederates nearing the crest were driven back by the timely arrival of the 140th New York Infantry, and Union Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain with the 20th Maine then launched a desperate bayonet charge that drove the Confederates from the hill and ended their assault. About 4,864 combatants took part in the hour-and-a-half struggle, and more than 1,185 were killed, wounded, or captured.
