officers to remain on the crest so as to make the enemy believe that it was defended, he hastened after the 3d brigade of Ayres' division, which he saw moving some distance away. Weed, who was in command, directed Colonel O'Rorke to lead the One Hundred and Fortieth New York to the summit and defend it at all hazards.
Colonel Vincent with Barnes' 3d brigade had just reached the southern slope of Little Round Top, and was preparing to oppose Law's advance. A moment later Hood's soldiers dashed forward with a yell and attacked him. Vincent's men were well sheltered behind rocks and made a vigorous resistance. Law swooped down on his left, and driving the Sixth Michigan before him, pressed on to the summit. Fortunately O'Rorke's soldiers, going at full run, reached the summit a moment before him. Before they had time to catch their breath or form in line of battle. Law was upon them.
O'Rorke ordered a charge, and his men dashed forward amid a sharp musketry fire, and captured some of the foremost men of the enemy. Vincent came to their assistance, and Hood was checked. O'Rorke and many of his men were killed, but Little Round Top was saved. Hazlett's battery had been dragged to the summit by the most extraordinary exertions, but the guns could not be depressed to reach the enemy on the slope, so Hazlett shelled the Confederate reserve in the valley. Law renewed his attack on the summit, and was repulsed by Vincent, who fell in the defence.
Sweitzer and Tilton were retreating before Kershaw, and Ward and De Trobriand before Benning. The hill of Devil's Den was abandoned, strewn with corpses. Smith saved his three remaining guns with great difficulty. The Confederates drove Winslow's battery from the wheat field and threatened De Trobriand's rear. The latter, assailed in front by Anderson, and out-flanked by Kershaw, retreated with greatly thinned ranks. The Eighth South
