What happened at Culp's Hill at Gettysburg?
Why is Culp's Hill important?
Culp's Hill is situated on the Union right flank at the battle of Gettysburg. On July 1, Hancock sends Cutler's brigade onto the northern face of Culp's Hill. On the morning of July 2, Slocum's Corps--consisting of Williams and Geary's divisions--is positioned on and near Culp's Hill, as is Sykes' Corps.
However, Longstreet's attack on Sickles begins on the afternoon of July 2. Ewell orders an artillery barrage of Culp's Hill, but the Union counterfire from Cemetery Ridge silences the rebels. No infantry strike.
So Meade pulls Sykes and most of Slocum's corps off Culp's Hill to support the Union left, where fighting is happening at Devil's Den, Cemetery Ridge, the Peach Orchard, Little Round Top, and Big Round Top.
Greene's Brigade is the only brigade left on Culp's Hill. Then Johnson's division of Ewell's Corps strikes, with Jones, Williams, and Steuart's brigades.
George Greene has built extensive fortifications on Culp's Hill. Steuart hits the extreme right of the Union line. Ireland's 137th New York holds the right, much like Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain held the Union left earlier that day. Greene holds long enough for reinforcements to arrive from Wadsworth, Howard, and then Slocum's Corps, which returns.
During the twilight of July 3, union artillery hits Steuart's men, who have secured lodgements on lower Culp's Hill. The rebels have been reinforced, and they attack again up the slopes.
Geary's division holds the upper heights.
Ireland's 137th New York regiment again holds the flank, this time supported by Lockwood's brigade. The Union counterattack pushes Steuart back down the slopes.
Colgrove hits the lower end of Culp's Hill.
The Union Army dislodges Johnson from Culp's HIll by early afternoon on July 3. Lee is robbed of his chance to coordinate Pickett's Charge with a simultaneous strike on Culp's Hill.
A film by Jeffrey Meyer, research librarian, Iowa
Images from the Library of Congress
Satellite images from Google Maps
