Wofford attacked Tilton's division and forced it back. Kershaw and Semmes again assailed Sweitzer and Zook and drove them out of the wood. Zook was killed and there was a great loss in the rank and file of his command. Finally the Union troops were pushed in disorder to the left bank of Plum Run. Bigelow's battery, unsupported, took position in front of the Trostle House, and fired canister until nearly all the gunners and 80 out of 88 horses were killed. The guns were captured.
Ayres with Day's and Burbank's brigades occupied the crest of Devil's Den, and sustained the attack of Hood and McLaws. He retired slowly, losing nearly half his men, and took position on the northern base of Little Round Top. Fighting had gone on continuously on the summit. Weed was shot down, and Hazlett, bending over to speak to him, was mortally wounded. Many other superior officers were either killed or wounded, but the men held their positions until the enemy was worn out. Colonel Chamberlain then charged, drove them back, and captured three hundred prisoners. Just then Crawford arrived with McCandless' brigade and assisted in driving the enemy to the other side of Plum Run. Ayres' position deterred them from making a fresh attack on Little Round Top.
There was danger of Barksdale and Wofford separating the Union left from the rest of the army. They advanced rapidly, driving every thing before them. To fill in the gap Hancock despatched two regiments of Hay's division and one of Willard's brigades. Alexander's Confederate batteries were shelling Humphreys' lines, and McGilvery's brigade of artillery established itself on the left bank of Plum Run and replied with vigor. Aided by Hancock's artillery it retarded the Confederate movements. Meade, realizing the danger, hurried to the field, and directed reinforcements to hasten from the right. Williams' division, General Lockwood's two regiments, Candy's brigade, and
