Just before the action began in earnest, on July 2, I was with General Mead near General

Sickles, whose troops seemed very badly disposed on that part of the field.

At my suggestion, General Mead sent me to the left to examine the condition of affairs,

and I continued on till I reached a little round-top.

There were no troops on it, and it was being used as a signal station.

I saw that this was the key of the whole position, and that our troops in the woods in front

of it could not see the ground in front of them, so that the enemy would come upon them

before they would be aware of it.

The long line of woods on the west side of the Emmetsburg Road furnished an excellent

place for the enemy to form out of sight.

So I requested the captain of a battery just in front of a little round-top to fire a

shot into these woods.

He did so, and as the shot went whistling through the air, the sound of it reached the

enemy's troops, and caused everyone to look in the direction of it.

This motion revealed to me the glistening of gun barrels and bayonets of the enemy's

line of battle already formed and far outflanking the position of any of our troops, so that

the line of his advance from his right to a little round-top was unopposed.

I have been particular in telling this as the discovery was intensely thrilling to my

feelings, and almost appalling.

Brigadier General Guviner K. Warren, chief engineer, Army of the Potomac.

Hey everyone, welcome to episode number 349 of our Civil War Podcast.

My name is Rich, and Tracy won't be with us for this show, so you're stuck with me

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