The contest soon became furious and the rocks were alive with musketry.

General Vincent sent word to Barnes that the enemy were on him in overwhelming numbers, and Hazlett's regular battery, supported by the 140th New York under Colonel O'Rorke of Weed's brigade, was sent as a reinforcement.

The battery was dragged with great labor to the crest of Little Round Top, and the 140th were posted on the slope on Vincent's right.

They came upon the field just as the rebels, after failing to penetrate the centre, had driven back the right.

In advancing to this exposed position, Colonel O'Rorke, a brilliant young officer who had just graduated at the head of his class at West Point, was killed and his men thrown into some confusion, but Vincent rallied the line and repulsed the assault.