The Union General Sickles, at noon July 2, began moving his troops
forward from Cemetery Ridge and Little Round Top to Devil’s Den Ridge
and the Peach Orchard. Longstreet’s Confederate corps was already
marching from the Chambersburg Road to extend the line southward across
the Emmitsburg Road. At 3:30 p. m., as Sickles’ men were taking position
at the Peach Orchard and the Emmitsburg Road, a half-mile north of here,
Longstreet brought his army into position on this ridge. A brisk
artillery exchange opened. Longstreet directed his infantry attack first
at Little Round Top (the partially cleared hill to your right) and then
along the whole Union line northward to the Peach Orchard and the
Emmitsburg Road. Four hours later, as darkness gathered, the Union line
had been shattered and forced to retreat. The Confederates gained
possession of the west slope of Big Round Top, Devil’s Den, and the high
ground in the vicinity of the Peach Orchard.