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[621] toward this position: Weed's brigade, which preceded the other two at a considerable distance, had been turned aside, without the knowledge of the commander of the Fifth corps, by a pressing call from Sickles, and it was going to the assistance of the Third corps when Warren went to seek O'Rorke and his regiment. As soon as Sykes was informed of this fact, he ordered Weed, who had not yet fallen into line, to return with all possible haste to take the position already occupied by the Onehundred-and-fortieth New York. This order was promptly executed. Weed reached Little Round Top at the moment when Vincent was mortally wounded, and when both sides were preparing to renew the struggle which had been temporarily suspended. He takes position on the right of Vincent's brigade, of which Colonel Rice has assumed the command, thus enabling him to reinforce his left. Chamberlain, on his part, in order to keep the enemy in check, has been obliged to place a portion of the Twentieth Maine en potence above the defile which separates the two summits. It is, in fact, against this point that Law directs all his efforts, and the combat is resumed with fresh vigor, without allowing Weed time to deploy his battalions. His soldiers, having speedily recovered, rush to the assault with the earnestness of men who have never encountered an obstacle without breaking it down. He strives to outflank the Federal line in order to reach Little Round Top by way of the eastern side of the ridge: his troops have been under less fire on this side, but they have to do with the Twentieth Maine, which defends its position with all the vigor of the strong race of backwoodsmen from whom it has been recruited: again they fight hand to hand, the assailants still trying to turn their adversaries during the combat, the latter prolonging their line and bringing it more and more to the rear in order to frustrate this manoeuvre.

In the mean while, the battle, confined up to this moment to the ground comprised between Plum Run and its tributary, rapidly assumes extensive dimensions. Meade has ordered all the force at his disposal to take position on his left. The Sixth corps, whose heads of column have arrived at about two o'clock at the Rock Creek bridge, and are resting after a long and fatiguing march, has relieved the Fifth in this position. We have already

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