When that is the case, and it was so in the present instance--each side constituting the angle is taken in flank, and the position is no longer tenable.
[Diagram] _________________________ | _b2_ | |_b1_ _________________ | | _a1_ | | | | _A_ | |_a2_ | | | | If one side of the right angle lies behind a ridge where it cannot be enfiladed, a temporary formation of this kind is sometimes permissible.
Sickles claimed that he acted with the implied sanction of General Meade, who, however, censured the movement afterward.

As soon as Sickles took position, General Buford's division of cavalry was sent to the rear at Westminster, to guard the trains there; and Kilpatrick's division was ordered to Hunterstown to attack the rebel left.
Sykes' corps--the Fifth--came up from the right about 5 P.M., soon after Longstreet's attack on Sickles was fairly under way, and formed along the outer base of Little Round Top, with Crawford's Pennsylvania Reserves at their right and front.
There had been a Council of War, or Conference of Corps Commanders, called at Meade's headquarters, and it was universally agreed to remain and hold the position.

As the Third Corps, in answer to the guns of Clark's battery, was suddenly assailed by a terrible concentrated artillery fire, General Sickles rode back to his command and General Meade went with him.

The latter objected to Sickles' line, but thought it was then too late to change it.
The severe artillery fire which opened against the two sides of the angle at the Peach Orchard was a prelude to a furious attack against Ward's brigade on the left.

This attack soon extended to the Peach Orchard.