They rode out to the ridge and Sickles directed that his troops should be posted along that road, with his centre at the Peach Orchard, which was about a mile from and nearly opposite to Little Round Top; his right wing, under Humphreys, extending along the road, while his left wing, under Birney, made a right angle at the Peach Orchard with the other part of the line, and bent around, so as to cover the front of Little Round Top at the base.

The disadvantages of this position are obvious enough.

It is impossible for any force to hold its ground when attacked at once on both sides which constitute the right angle.

The diagram shows that the force _A_ will have both its lines _a1_ and _a2_ enfiladed by batteries at _b1 b2_, and must yield.

The ground, however, may be such that the enemy cannot plant his guns at _b1_ or _b2_; but under any circumstances it is a weak formation and the enemy easily penetrate the angle.