The second day started off really slow. General Lee sent scouts out to go check the Union lines, and found them to be in the shape of a giant fishhook. Lee wanted Longstreet, his second in command, to attack the Union flanks. Longstreet made protest, but sadly gave in. He wanted to fall back, and move South to Washington. There, they could surround the nations capital, and force Lincoln into peace talks. Lee pondered a moment, before exclaiming that "The enemy is here! How could I ask these men to retreat in the face of what they have done this day?" "Not retreat sir, redeploy" replied Longstreet. Never the less, Lee wanted to attack, so Longstreet reluctantly followed orders. It was mainly quiet all day on the Union lines however.
Due to the fact that the confederates could be seen from the tops of the hills by the Yankees, Longstreet counter-marched the army for several miles. One unfortunate brigade under the command of Evander Law, marched over 25 miles since 1:00AM! They finally got into position at around 3:00PM.
Union General Daniel Sickles, commander of the III Corps, decided he was not in a good position. He thought that the rebels would win, if he stayed in his current position. Without any orders, Sickles moved his entire command forward, exposing the Roundtops, (hills). Union army General George Meade was furious, but it was already too late. AT 4:00 PM, Longstreet commenced his assault with fury.
Cannons boomed incessantly, hitting the Peach Orchard and Devils Den with shells. Confederate General Hood, was supposed to take his command to take Devils Den, and the Roundtops. General Hood argued that if he tried to take those rocky heights, his men would be slaughtered. General Longstreet replied, "I've been arguing that decision all day, I've argued against this assault, hell I've been arguing against any attack at all, but the commanding general won't allow you to move around those hills". "But sir, let me move around to the right!! Those hills are undefended and open!" replied Hood. "Sam, by the time you get artillery up there, it would be dark before you were in action. However if the Yankees get up there...we're gonna need buckets to catch the lead" said Longstreet. "They don't even need guns to defend that! said Hood. All they need o do is roll rocks down on you!" "Just take it" said Longstreet. With a salute, General hood rode forward with his men, into the hell of Devils Den.
Attacks swayed back and forth in the Peach Orchard, the Wheatfield, and Devils Den. Bayonet charges, frenzied melees and bloody fighting took place. Little by little, the confederates gained ground.
Due to the fact that the confederates could be seen from the tops of the hills by the Yankees, Longstreet counter-marched the army for several miles. One unfortunate brigade under the command of Evander Law, marched over 25 miles since 1:00AM! They finally got into position at around 3:00PM.
Union General Daniel Sickles, commander of the III Corps, decided he was not in a good position. He thought that the rebels would win, if he stayed in his current position. Without any orders, Sickles moved his entire command forward, exposing the Roundtops, (hills). Union army General George Meade was furious, but it was already too late. AT 4:00 PM, Longstreet commenced his assault with fury.
Cannons boomed incessantly, hitting the Peach Orchard and Devils Den with shells. Confederate General Hood, was supposed to take his command to take Devils Den, and the Roundtops. General Hood argued that if he tried to take those rocky heights, his men would be slaughtered. General Longstreet replied, "I've been arguing that decision all day, I've argued against this assault, hell I've been arguing against any attack at all, but the commanding general won't allow you to move around those hills". "But sir, let me move around to the right!! Those hills are undefended and open!" replied Hood. "Sam, by the time you get artillery up there, it would be dark before you were in action. However if the Yankees get up there...we're gonna need buckets to catch the lead" said Longstreet. "They don't even need guns to defend that! said Hood. All they need o do is roll rocks down on you!" "Just take it" said Longstreet. With a salute, General hood rode forward with his men, into the hell of Devils Den.
Attacks swayed back and forth in the Peach Orchard, the Wheatfield, and Devils Den. Bayonet charges, frenzied melees and bloody fighting took place. Little by little, the confederates gained ground.
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