July 2, 1863, Gettysburg, the second day: Lee ordered Longstreet’s corps to attack the Federal left while Ewell’s corps assaulted Cemetery Hill and Cemetery Ridge. When the Union Third Corps moved forward along the Emmitsburg Road, an exposed salient was created in the Union line at Little Round Top Hill.
General Gouverneur Warren, chief engineer for George Meade, realized that the crest of Little Round Top, the highest point on the battlefield, was undefended; he immediately ordered Union forces to occupy Little Round Top. Union defenders arrived on the summit minutes before the Confederates attacked.
The attack was rebuffed with heavy losses, but at Devil’s Den and the Peach Orchard Longstreet’s corps did advance. However, despite massive casualties the Federal line held by the end of the second day of fighting