Law's Brigade

Looking from the intersection of Wright Avenue (which becomes Warren Avenue) and Sykes Avenue, which runs up the slope of Little Round Top to the right. The 47th Alabama advanced up the hill through this section of wooded boulders on the west (left) of the Avenue. The 4th Alabama was on their left, away from the camera. The 15th Alabama was to the right of the 47th, along or east of modern Sykes Avenue. As the battle developed, the 15th would swing wider to the east.

Looking east from a foot path near the 20th Maine Monument (east of Sykes Avenue). As the 15th Alabama moved to the southeast side of Little Round Top, it encountered the 20th Maine, which was at that time the left flank of the Federal army. In his after action report Oates stated, "I halted my regiment as its left reached a very large rock, and ordered a left-wheel of the regiment...taking advantage of a ledge of rocks, running off in a line perpendicular to the one I had just abandoned...." While the exact spot of the large rock is indeterminate, the boulders here are part of the ledge Oates referred to. The 15th was then facing up hill (toward the camera) at the refused left flank of the Maine regiment.

Looking south, down the slope of Little Round Top. The intersection of Warren and Sykes Avenues is in the upper left of frame. In the far center is the Law Brigade tablet beside Warren Avenue. The 4th Alabama, with the 5th Texas on their left, struggled up the slopes here. A metal post in the foreground, just in front of the stone breastworks, is all that remains of a marker to either the 18th or 22nd Massachusetts Infantry Regiment (likely the 18th). Both were broken off many years ago.

This rock formation, sometimes called Benning's Knoll, at the south end of the Devil's Den actually split the 44th Alabama's advance into two wings. Part of the regiment advanced along Plum Run (to the left). The other wing advanced up the southwest face of the Devil's Den. This served to weaken their assault on the Federal positions. The 48th Alabama stayed in the woods at the base of Big Round Top (in the background) before reaching the Slaughter Pen and confronting the 4th Maine Infantry.