Little Round Top

As we saw in Chapter 13, Little Round Top was being attacked on July 2nd, 1863. Colonel Chamberlain leading his 20th Maine, stopped the Alabamians from taking the left side with their famous bayonet charge. But the right side of Little Round Top was still being attacked by two Texas regiments (4th and 5th) and one Alabama regiment (48th). Fierce fighting occurred there under constant sniper fire from Devil’s Den. At the end of the day, the Union still held Little Round Top right, but the Union had lost four very brave officers.

This poem, Little Roundtop, is dedicated to Colonel Vincent, Colonel O’Rourke, General Weed, and Lieutenant Hazlett

Chapter 14 – Little Round Top Right – Day 2

On the western side of the hill

The Boys of Blue were in for a fight

For Texans and Alabamians were assaulting

Little Round Top right

Colonel Strong Vincent

Rallying his crumbling regiment

The 16th MICH in desperate need

Of reinforcements to be sent

Wave after wave charged

Fueled by Texas and Alabama adrenaline

Blown back bloody repulsed

Only to charge again

Mounting a large boulder

A riding crop his hand clinched

Waving it high

Vincent shouted, “Don’t give an inch!”

A bullet then struck him

Bursting explosion of shells

Struck again in the groin

Mortally wounded Vincent fell

An intrepid leader

He paid the ultimate price

Now taking over command for him

Colonel James C. Rice

Then into the fray charged

Men from 140^th New York

Sent by General Warren

Led by Colonel Patrick O’Rourke

Paddy himself led the charge

Down the western face of the hill

Driving the rebels back down

Many were captured or killed

He sprang upon a rock

Urging his men to forge ahead

He was then shot in the neck

To the ground he fell dead

Another brave leader lost

To save Little Round Top

But it wasn’t over yet

The Rebels not yet stopped

More reinforcements now coming

In their desperate time of need

Sent from General Sykes V Corp

3^rd Brigade of General Stephen H. Weed

Weed’s men helped Lieutenant Hazlett

Move six Parrott rifles up top

Battery D 5th US Artillery

Now had a better firing spot

But Confederate fire

Kept coming from damn Devil’s Den

Continuous barrage steady

Killing many Union men

Then one ball screaming

From a sharp shooter’s nest

Struck General Weed

A mortal wound in the chest

Lieutenant Hazlett went

To hear his last words

From his dear old friend

That day at Gettysburg

Weed said, “I’d rather die here

On this Little Top Round

Then let the Rebels gain

Even an inch of this ground”

Hazlett knelt over him listening

Then shot in the head

A sniper’s bullet felling him

Now he too was dead

Throughout the day

They defended the hill

But them Rebels were brave

They kept charging still

Until finally it stopped

And the day passed to night

So many had died

In the fight of all fights

We’ll never forgot that day

And all they went through

They saved Little Round Top Right

Those Union Boys of Blue

Go to Chapter 15

Battle of Gettysburg Poem

Posted on May 8, 2022 by admin

A ballad poem about the unexpected and miraculous victory of The Union.

Charge of the 1st Minnesota

“Christopher Rudolph exercises his study of the Confederacy’s invasion of Pennsylvania to create a poem. He relates the story of the campaign and Battle of Gettysburg with insight and care for detail. It will appeal to the student and the enthusiast.” – Donald J Frey – Civil War Author, Longstreet’s Assault – Pickett’s Charge, In The Woods Before Dawn, The Adventures of Daniel Buchwalter in the Western Army, and others.

A “Monumental piece.” Janet Morgan Riggs – President of Gettysburg College

“Excellent, and a great way to get students interested in history! It’s extremely creative, and a great approach to teaching.” – Diane Zazzali DeBella – Writing Professor at University of Colorado

“I loved it. Quite a tour de force.” – Judy Hammer – High School English and Drama Teacher

This battle was fought for three days from July 1st to July 3rd, 1863. It is estimated that there were over 50,000 casualties in the two armies fighting (28,000 from the Confederate Army and 23,000 from the Union Army). It was the bloodiest battle of the entire Civil War.

Battle of Gettysburg Poem

Chapter 1 – Army of Northern Virginia

Chapter 2 – Army of Potomoc

Chapter 3 – Colonel Chamberlain

Chapter 4 – General Buford

Chapter 5 – The First Shot

Chapter 6 – Buford Day 1

Chapter 7 – Railroad Cut

Chapter 8 – Chamberlain Day 1

Chapter 9 – Buford Night 1

Chapter 10 – Chamberlain Day 2

Chapter 11 – General Longstreet