BATTLE ANALYSIS: The Battle of

Little Round Top

P Version
 INTRODUCTION
• The Battle of Little Round Top
• Principles of War
-Mass
-Manoeuvre
-Surprise
-Security
-Objective
-Offensive
• A critical supporting action in the Battle of Gettysburg
• 02 – 03 July 1863
• Gettysburg, VA
 INTRODUCTION

Army of the Potomac V Army Corps under MG 3rd Bde under COL
under MG Meade Sykes Vincent

Union Forces
 INTRODUCTION

Army of Northern Virgnia I Army Corps under LTG Hoods’ Div under MG
under Gen Lee Longstreet Hood

Confederate Forces
 STRATEGIC SETTING
• Cause of the conflict
 American Civil War
 Battle of Gettysburg 01-03 July 1863
 Direct assault
 STRATEGIC SETTING
• Military Systems
 Battle Command
Manoeuvre
Fire Support
Intelligence
Logistics
• Previous Performance
 1st Day of Battle of Gettysburg
 Devils’ Den
• Logistical Situation
 No apparent MSR for Union
• Morale, Health and Welfare
 Union Forces highly motivated
 Both forces physically tired due to difficulty of unit manoeuvres
 TACTICAL SITUATION

• Mission
• Equipment
• Terrain
• Troops available
• Time
 ACTION
Initial Troop Movements
 ACTION
Final Assault
 ACTION
• Union Forces successfully defend positions
• Union casualties: 565 casualties (134 killed,
402 wounded, 29 missing)
• Confederate casualties: 1,185 (279 killed, 868
wounded, 219 missing)
 SIGNIFICANCE
• Short term effect
- Failure of Confederate forces to defeat Union
forces enabled Union forces to alter outcome
of the Battle of Gettysburg in their favor
• Long term effect
- Union forces eventually won the war
 ANALYSIS
• Tenets of Army Operations
Agility - maneuver of both forces
Initiative – COL Chamberlain’s quick thinking
Depth- utilization of reserves when needed and
use of maneuver space despite physical limitation
Synchronization- coordinated movement of all
forces in terms of both offense and defense
Versatility
 ANALYSIS
• Principles of War
 Mass – Rebel assaults; Union lines of fire
 Maneuver – Rebel movement and flexibility of 20th Maine
 Surprise- appearance of Rebel forces at unexpected areas
 Simplicity
 Security-guarding of flanks of 20th Maine at tactical and of 3rd Brigade
at operational
 Objective- common for both forces but defense of LRT for Union and
dislodgement of enemy at LRT by Rebels
 Offensive- repetitive Rebel attacks and sudden bayonet attack of 20th
Maine
 Unity of Command-at Brigade level for Union for western/southern
slope defense of LRT and coordinated Rebel attacks
 Economy of Force
 ANALYSIS
• The victors observed the principles of mass,
maneuver, surprise, security, and unity of
command.
• The vanquished failed to employ maneuver,
fire support, intelligence, mobility and
survivability.
 CONCLUSION

The leadership and tactical acumen of COL Joshua Chamberlain

coupled with the determination of his men of the 20 th Maine
practically saved the day for the Union Forces at their positions on
the tactical aspect, for the Battle of Gettysburg on the operational
aspect and the American Civil War later on in the strategic aspect.