Henry Wilson Storey's History of Cambria County, V.II, p.339

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History of Cambria County, V.2

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY. 339

and formed at the foot of the hill toward Gettysburg. This formation was not satisfactory and we were about to march back onto the hill, when a staff officer directed Col. Jackson to move over and retake Big Round Top, which was about to be occupied by the enemy.
    Colonel Jackson promptly gave the order. “Shoulder arms, and right face” and began the movement when another staff officer galloped up, and directed Colonel Jackson to halt his regiment and “hold the hill at all hazards until re-enforcements could be got up.” Col. Jackson, then gave the command, “front, forward march,” and we marched in line of battle to a point on the slope of the hill looking toward the wheat-field and the and the woods on the right of it. The Devil's Den, and the woods to the left of the wheat-field, were also in plain view, and also in direct line of the enemy's fire from the Devil's Den.
    I am positive that at this time the 11th regiment, having about 400 men, was the only infantry on this part of Little Round Top. This regiment was the only one of the Third Brigade engaged on this part of Little Round Top; the others were sent to Big Round Top.
    Matters looked gloomy at 6 o'clock that Thursday evening, when the enemy had driven back our forces in front and a report came that they had taken Big Round Top. The peach orchard was in possession of the enemy, as well as the wheat-field, the Devil's Den and the woods---were completely filled with infantry and artillery, and the valley in front and right and left-front of Little Round Top filled with smoke, hiding from view of the few anxious watchers on Little Round Top. They rested in quietness awaiting the order which they knew would soon come. The enemy was then driving a band of regulars past the base of the hill, but with wonderful bravery---retreat whilst loading---about face, and fire in the face of the pursuers.
    It was a critical and inspiring moment. Finally two men came up the hill, when Colonel Jackson inquired, ”How many of our people are down there?" They replied, "Not one. Those you see coming up the hill are Johnnies.” Col. Jackson immediately gave the order to fire., and three or four volleys were given, when he gave the order to “Fix bayonets---charge,” and no charge was ever more intelligently, bravely or gallantly made than it was. It was made down the hill through the smoke and across the valley of death to the fence at the wheat-field.
    After we reached this position we heard cheering in our rear, and turning towards it there were the brave Bucktails coming on a double-quick, with the other regiments of our brigade. Gen. Crawford, our division commander, then rode up and said: “Col. Jackson your regiment is worth its weight in gold, worth its weight in gold, sir.” This the general repeated three or four times. It was such a compliment that we all felt proud and were glad to be there.

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	HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.	339
and formed at the foot of the hill toward Gettysburg. This formation was not satisfactory and we were about to march back onto the hill, when a staff officer directed Col. Jackson to move over and retake Big Round Top, which was about to be occupied by the enemy. Colonel Jackson promptly gave the order. “Shoulder arms, and right face” and began the movement when another staff officer galloped up, and directed Colonel Jackson to halt his regiment and “hold the hill at all hazards until re-enforcements could be got up.” Col. Jackson, then gave the command, “front, forward march,” and we marched in line of battle to a point on the slope of the hill looking toward the wheat-field and the and the woods on the right of it. The Devil's Den, and the woods to the left of the wheat-field, were also in plain view, and also in direct line of the enemy's fire from the Devil's Den. I am positive that at this time the 11th regiment, having about 400 men, was the only infantry on this part of Little Round Top. This regiment was the only one of the Third Brigade engaged on this part of Little Round Top; the others were sent to Big Round Top. Matters looked gloomy at 6 o'clock that Thursday evening, when the enemy had driven back our forces in front and a report came that they had taken Big Round Top. The peach orchard was in possession of the enemy, as well as the wheat-field, the Devil's Den and the woods---were completely filled with infantry and artillery, and the valley in front and right and left-front of Little Round Top filled with smoke, hiding from view of the few anxious watchers on Little Round Top. They rested in quietness awaiting the order which they knew would soon come. The enemy was then driving a band of regulars past the base of the hill, but with wonderful bravery---retreat whilst loading---about face, and fire in the face of the pursuers. It was a critical and inspiring moment. Finally two men came up the hill, when Colonel Jackson inquired, ”How many of our people are down there?" They replied, "Not one. Those you see coming up the hill are Johnnies.” Col. Jackson immediately gave the order to fire., and three or four volleys were given, when he gave the order to “Fix bayonets---charge,” and no charge was ever more intelligently, bravely or gallantly made than it was. It was made down the hill through the smoke and across the valley of death to the fence at the wheat-field. After we reached this position we heard cheering in our rear, and turning towards it there were the brave Bucktails coming on a double-quick, with the other regiments of our brigade. Gen. Crawford, our division commander, then rode up and said: “Col. Jackson your regiment is worth its weight in gold, worth its weight in gold, sir.” This the general repeated three or four times. It was such a compliment that we all felt proud and were glad to be there.