<P> Little Round Top is the smaller of two rocky hills south of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania--the companion to the adjacent, taller hill named Big Round Top . It was the site of an unsuccessful assault by Confederate troops against the Union left flank on July 2, 1863, the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg . </P> <P> Considered by some historians to be the key point in the Union Army's defensive line that day, Little Round Top was defended successfully by the brigade of Col. Strong Vincent . The 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment, commanded by Col. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, fought the most famous engagement there, culminating in a dramatic downhill bayonet charge that is one of the most well - known actions at Gettysburg and in the American Civil War . </P> <P> Little Round Top is a large diabase spur of Big Round Top with an oval crest (despite its name) that forms a short ridgeline with a summit of 63 ft (19 m) prominence above the saddle point to Big Round Top to the south . Located in Cumberland Township, approximately two miles (3 km) south of Gettysburg, with a rugged, steep slope rising 150 feet (46 m) above nearby Plum Run to the west (the peak is 650 feet (198 m) above sea level), strewn with large boulders . The western slope was generally free from vegetation, while the summit and eastern and southern slopes were lightly wooded . Directly to the south was its companion hill, Big Round Top, 130 feet (40 m) higher and densely wooded . </P>

Who commanded the maine troops that held little round top for the union on the second day