The Attack and Defense of Little Round Top

The Attack and Defense of Little Round Top, Gettysburg is Oliver Willcox Norton’s firsthand account and analytical reflection on one of the most pivotal moments of the American Civil War—the fierce struggle for control of Little Round Top on July 2, 1863, during the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg. Norton, a Union Army soldier and aide to General Strong Vincent, offers an eyewitness narrative of the events on Little Round Top. His primary goal was to correct misconceptions and highlight overlooked contributions, especially those of Strong Vincent and his brigade. Little Round Top was the extreme left flank of the Union line. If Confederate forces had captured it, they could have enfiladed Union positions and potentially turned the tide of the battle—and the war. Confederate forces, particularly from Alabama and Texas, launched repeated assaults up the rocky slopes. General Gouverneur K. Warren recognized the vulnerability of the hill and called for reinforcements. Colonel Strong Vincent led a brigade (including the 20th Maine, 44th New York, 83rd Pennsylvania, and 16th Michigan) to occupy the position just in time. Norton emphasizes Vincent’s decisive leadership in placing the regiments and holding the line under intense pressure. The Union line bent but did not break. The 20th Maine’s bayonet charge, led by Col. Joshua Chamberlain, became legendary. Norton, however, argues that Vincent’s brigade as a whole deserves more credit than Chamberlain alone often receives. He portrays Vincent as a quiet but brilliant commander whose actions were crucial and whose early death denied him recognition. Norton critiques how popular narratives (even in his time) romanticized or simplified the battle. The book does not shy away from the brutality and chaos of the fight. Norton’s account is both historical documentation and personal tribute, especially to Vincent, whom he deeply admired. It remains a valuable counterpoint to more dramatized versions of the battle in later novels and movies. Read more