Oates reported the union position and received orders to take Little Round Top, Oates had his tired men work their way down to the valley between the two hills, where they were joined by a regiment of their fellow Alabamians and two from Texas. Oates’ men were weary from battle and low on water. A casualty report from the 44th Alabama Infantry CDR, Col. William F. Perry stated that there was 17 Killed, 54 wounded, and 90 missing. (A&D OF LRT PG 144)
After regrouping his men, Oates sent Soldiers out to fill the water canteens. These men did not return before Oates had to begin his unit’s advance because Union sharpshooters captured them.
“Oates knew most of the canteens were empty, and sent out men from each company to replenish their supply. Unfortunately the regiment moved out before they …show more content…
Col. Joshua Chamberlain saw the urgency to make a bold decision. At that point he ordered his men to fix bayonets. The word rang out along his line of troops they then charged forward at the confederates that where 30 yards away. (BF 206) The left edge of Chamberlain’s regiment that was previously pushed back to protect the flanks closed into the rest of the line do broaden the Union’s front to conduct a frontal attack. Stunned by the audacity of the 20th Maine’s assault, and exhausted from the long day fighting, many of the Confederates immediately surrendered and the rest retreated. The 20th Maine, under the command of Chamberlain, held the Union line and Little Round Top was