Existing comment:
The Deadly Sharpshooters
July 2, 1863 - Second Day
"The sharpshooters also began their deadly work, and the sharp zip - p-i-n-g-g-g - of the spiteful rifle ball, more dangerous than its larger brother, added to our perils."
-- Capt. Robert G. Carter, U.S.A., 22nd Massachusetts Infantry
Little Round Top's large rocks and the stone breastworks thrown up during the battle, protected Union soldiers here from Confederate sharpshooters in and around Devil's Den across the valley. Also, the rocks provided secure firing positions for Union sharpshooters.
A Civil War sharpshooter using a rifle equipped with a scope could kill an enemy soldier at 1,000 yards. The Confederate sharpshooters at Devil's Den were only 500 yards from here.
Union sharpshooters and infantry crept on hands and knees to avoid flying lead. For officers, it was more difficult to keep down. Brig. Gen. Stephen H. Weed, commander of the second Union brigade to arrive on the scene, fell mortally wounded by a sharpshooter's bullet here July 2. When Lt. Charles E. Hazlett, commander of the cannon to your left, answered the call of the dying Weed, a bullet penetrated his brain, and he fell dead in Weed's lap.
Union breastworks photographed from near this point about twelve days after the battle by Matthew Brady. The breastworks were hastily thrown up on July 2 to protect Union riflemen. The wooded hill in the background is Big Round Top. Although the breastworks shown in the photo no longer exist, remnants of other walls may be seen on the hillside below this exhibit.
Union sharpshooters positioned here carried the accurate, breech-loading Sharps rilfe. The Sharps could be loaded three times faster than a common muzzle-loader, and with fewer motions, reducing the risk of exposure to enemy fire.
Brig. Gen. Stephen H. Weed who fell mortally wounded near this point, probably the victim of a Confederate sharpshooter. |