Big Round Top

{{Short description|Hill in Pennsylvania, United States}} {{Infobox landform | water = | name = Big Round Top | other_name = Round Top<ref name=StarandSentinel/>{{Rp|a}} — Great Round Top<ref name=StarandSentinel/>{{Rp|a}} Round Top Mountain<ref name=Norton>{{cite web |last=Norton |first=Lemuel B |date=September 18, 1863 |title=Report of…Chief Signal Officer…Gettysburg Campaign |url=http://www.civilwarhome.com/nortongettysburgor.htm |access-date=2010-02-20| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100103102102/http://civilwarhome.com/nortongettysburgor.htm| archive-date= 3 January 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> — Sugar Loaf Hill[https://news.google.com/archivesearch?q=%22sugar+loaf%22+gettysburg&scoring=a&hl=en&ned=us&sa=N&sugg=d&as_ldate=1860&as_hdate=1879&lnav=hist5] | type = Hill | image = Big Round Top (photo by Timothy H. O'Sullivan, 1863).jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = 1863 O'Sullivan image of Big Round Top{{Specify|WHAT IS THE DARK COLUMN ABOVE THE TREES ON THE SUMMIT?|date=February 2010}} beyond Little Round Top breastworks  | pushpin_map = Pennsylvania | pushpin_relief = | map_image = | map_caption =  | location = NE slope @ Little Round Top | coordinates = {{coord|39|47|10.5|N|77|14|21.1|W|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_ref = | range = | part_of = | water_bodies = | elevation_ft =  | elevation_ref = | surface_elevation_ft =  | surface_elevation_ref = | highest_point = | highest_elevation = | highest_coords = | length = | width = | area = | depth = | drop = | formed_by = | geology = Pennsylvania Piedmont physiographic region | age = | orogeny = | volcanic_arc/belt = | volcanic_arc = | volcanic_belt = | volcanic_field = | last_eruption = | topo = | operator = | designation = | free_label_1 = | free_data_1 = | free_label_2 = | free_data_2 = | website = [http://www.nps.gov/archive/gett/pphtml/subenvironmentalfactors25.html Gettysburg Scenic Vistas (nps.gov)]{{dead link|date=June 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} | embed = }}

'''Big Round Top''' is a boulder-strewn hill notable as the topographic high point<ref name=nature>{{cite web |year=2009 |title=Geologic Resources Inventory Report |url=http://www.nature.nps.gov/Geology/inventory/publications/reports/gett-eise_gri_rpt_body_print.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528020420/http://www.nature.nps.gov/geology/inventory/publications/reports/gett-eise_gri_rpt_body_print.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 28, 2010 |location=Denver, Colorado |publisher=Natural Resource Program Center (NPS)|access-date=2010-02-19}}</ref>{{Rp|3}} of the Gettysburg Battlefield and for 1863 American Civil War engagements for which Medals of Honor were awarded. In addition to battle monuments, a historic reconstruction era structure on the uninhabited hill is the Big Round Top Observation Tower Foundation Ruin.<ref>[https://www.gettysburgdaily.com/climbing-big-round-top/ Climbing Big Round Top]</ref>

==Geography== Big Round Top is the southern peak of the Gettysburg Battlefield and is within the area encompassed by a drainage depression (southeast, south), Plum Run (west, north), and the Crawford Avenue/Wright Avenue roadway (north, northeast). In addition to Little Round Top, adjacent battlefield locations are [https://web.archive.org/web/20100304145912/http://www.civilwaralbum.com/misc8/south_cav_field1.htm South Cavalry Field]/[https://books.google.com/books?id=OSUtAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA17 Slyder Field] (west), Devil's Den (northwest) and the Valley of Death/Slaughter Pen (north).<ref>{{cite web|title=Scenic Vistas |url=http://www.nps.gov/archive/gett/pphtml/subenvironmentalfactors25.html |work=Nature & Science |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=2010-02-19 }}{{dead link|date=June 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

The hill is the highest point of an Adams County dendritic ridge which Plum Run divides at Big Round Top (the drainage divide continues to the east). In addition to Little Round Top (650 ft.), nearby heights are Warfield Ridge (west), hills of 580 ftand 540 ft (northwest),{{Specify|WHAT ARE THE NAMES? THE StoneSentinel CITATION CLAIMS THE CHARGE WAS INITIATED FROM Bushman Hill, BUT Hal Jesperson DEPICTS THE 1 VT TO THE NE OF A HILL. |date=February 2010}} and Houck Ridge (north-northwest); while Carr Hill (876 ft) is the nearest higher hill.<ref name=MountainPeaks>{{cite web |title=Points of interest near…Round Top |url=http://www.mountainpeaks.net/index.php?action=feature&type=%25&feature_name=big+round+top |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719031903/http://www.mountainpeaks.net/index.php?action=feature&type=%&feature_name=big+round+top |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-07-19 |work=Mountain Peaks and Summit Names |publisher=MountainPeaks.net |access-date=2010-03-22 }}</ref> Devil's Kitchen is rock formation and small cave on the lower slopes of Big Round Top.<ref>{{Cite web|author1=Adelman, Garry |author2=Smith, Timothy H. |name-list-style=amp |title=Ramparts of Rock: The Natural Fortifications of Gettysburg Geology|publisher=Civil War Trust|url=http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/gettysburg/gettysburg-history-articles/ramparts-of-rock.html}}</ref>

==History== The igneous hill was formed 200 million years ago when the outcrop of the Gettysburg sill intruded through the Triassic Gettysburg plain.<ref name=Brown>{{cite web |last=Brown |first=Andrew |year=2006 |edition=Eleventh printing |orig-year=1962 |title=Geology and the Gettysburg Campaign |url=http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/education/es5/es5.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000818232134/http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/education/es5/es5.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 18, 2000 |location=Pennsylvania |publisher=Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey |access-date=2010-02-19 |quote=}}</ref>{{Rp|13}} Subsequent periglacial frost wedging during the Pleistocene formed the hill's extensive boulders.<ref name=nature/> Early human activity included Indigenous people clearing an area<ref name=GettysburgTimes>{{cite web|title=Gettysburg Times Archives |url=http://www.gettysburgtimes.com/archives/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205182543/http://www.gettysburgtimes.com/archives/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-12-05 |publisher=Gettysburg Times |access-date=2010-02-20 }}  :c. {{cite web|date=May 20, 1962 |title=Historic and Other Important Landmarks |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hbolAAAAIBAJ&pg=5083,2208678&dq=tower+round-top&hl=en |format=Google News Archive |work=Visitor's Supplement (p. 22) |access-date=2010-02-21 }}  :d. {{cite web|date=November 18, 1992 |title=Adams County Alumni Club of Gettysburg College meets |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NZEkAAAAIBAJ&pg=6951,1756610&dq=big-round-top+indian&hl=en |format=Google News Archive |access-date=2010-03-20 }}</ref>{{Rp|d}} on [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hkcmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=n_4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=4277,4350579&dq=big-round-top+indian&hl=en the slope of Big Round Top] and established a burial ground about one mile southwest.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1CQmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=If0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2027,1543429&dq=big-round-top+indian&hl=en][https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bYsyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zeYFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5731,2021535&dq=big-round-top+indian&hl=en] prior to the 1736 British purchase of the region.

===Civil War=== [[File:1863 Gettysburg Battlefield - Big Round Top, Days 2 and 3.png|left|thumb|300px|July 3 (left) & July 2, (right), positions & movements: •Left: Well's charge (not depicted) crossed Plum Run and turned to pass behind the Confederates (red) on the spur of Big Round Top. •Right: After the "20th ME" had 'refused the line' (4th & 5th TX were temporarily under Law).[http://www.civilwarhome.com/robertsongettysburgor.htm] Earlier on July 2 from Big Round Top, 2 of Law 's CSA (red) regiments assaulted the 20th ME.]]

During the Battle of Gettysburg, Big Round Top's slope, timber, and boulders precluded placement of artillery on the summit.  At various times during the 1863 battle, positions on Big Round Top formed the left flank of the Union defense. No fighting or other actions took place on Big Round Top on July 1.<ref>Martin, David G. ''Gettysburg, July 1''. Conshohocken, PA: Combined Books, 1996. {{ISBN|978-0-938289-39-5}}. p. 583.</ref>

;Battle of Gettysburg, second day: On July 2 when "''it was growing dark''", Big "''Round Top was still in ''[the]'' possession of the ''[Confederate]'' skirmishers, who were firing upon our men. It was important to hold this hill, as…it commanded…our line. I directed Colonel Fisher to occupy it at once. He immediately detached ''[3 regiments]'', who advanced promptly, driving the enemy before them''" (Crawford's report).<ref name=StarandSentinel/>{{Rp|a}}

After 10 pm, Chamberlain's 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment occupied a Big Round Top summit position (the monument is on the north slope).[https://books.google.com/books?id=OSUtAAAAYAAJ] In 1893, Chamberlain was awarded a Medal of Honor for both "''carrying the advance position on the Great Round Top''" and "''holding his position on the Little Round Top against repeated assaults''" earlier in the day.

;Battle of Gettysburg, third day: The July 3 Wells cavalry charge advanced from the west to beyond the Big Round Top spur and engaged the rear of Law's Alabama regiments<ref name=Wert>{{cite book |last=Wert |first=Jeffry D |year=2002 |title=Gettysburg, Day Three |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wsu3YM0wTxEC&pg=RA1-PA279 |pages=279, 390 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |access-date=2010-02-22 |isbn=9780684859156 }}</ref> to carry the hill<ref name=StoneSentinels>{{cite web |title=1st Vermont Cavalry Regiment |url=http://www.gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/VT/1VtCav.php |publisher=StoneSentinels.com |access-date=2010-03-20 |quote=''Wells's companies had cleared Bushman's Woods, to the right or east of Parson's battalion, knifed through the skirmish line of Alabamians to the left of the Texans, and entered the meadow of the Slyder farm, then turned east and followed a low stone wall to the spur of Big Round Top. …when the troopers reached the spur, the brigadier ''[Farnsworth]'' led them north through the woods behind the Alabama regiments deployed at the foot of the height. Many Confederates faced to the rear and shot at the passing column. "It was a swift,…enfilading fire." Wells's battalion broke through the treeline into fields of Devil's Den and Houck's Ridge. … Gunners in a section of Bachman's battery near Emmitsburg Road wheeled to the left, unleashing their fire on the horsemen in the open ground. …the mounted column splintered into three groups. … The final group, led by…Wells, retraced their route toward the spur of Big Round Top. … As the Federals re-emerged into a field, the 15th Alabama came rushing into a line across the cavalrymen's front. On the left of the 15th ''[was]'' the 46th Alabama… A scissors of musketry cut into the ranks of the New Englanders. Farnsworth…toppled to the ground'' |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716145625/http://www.gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/VT/1VtCav.php |archive-date=2011-07-16 }}</ref> and earn Wells' 1891 Medal of Honor.<ref name=NARA>{{citation |title=Medal of Honor record of William Wells, Group 94 (W-199-VS-1869)|location=NARA, Washington D.C. |quote=}} (cited by Cross, pp. 44,60){{Verify source|THE TEXT IN THE MoH CITATION AT THE William Wells (general) WIKIPAGE NEEDS CONFIRMED|date=March 2010}}</ref>

By September 1863, David McConaughy had begun to acquire a portion of Big Round Top for battlefield preservation.<ref>{{cite book |last=Davis |first=William C. |year=1995 |edition=Fifth Printing |orig-year=1983 |title=Gettysburg: The Story Behind the Scenery |lccn=83-80606 |isbn=0-916122-89-1 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/gettysburg0000davi/page/10 10, 12] |publisher=KC Publications |quote= |url=https://archive.org/details/gettysburg0000davi/page/10 }}</ref> The Elon J. Farnsworth monument was erected before 1896 at the base of Big Round Top,<ref name=Compiler>{{cite web |date=Sep 3, 1895 |title=Battlefield Avenues |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2f0yAAAAIBAJ&pg=2929,7204928 |format=Google News |work=The Battlefield |publisher=Gettysburg Compiler |access-date=2010-02-19}}</ref> and statues of William Wells (1931) and John Michael Tobin are also on the hill.

===Reconstruction era=== Kilpatrick Avenue<ref name=GettysburgTimes/>{{Rp|c}} had been completed at the west base of Big Round Top by 1895<ref>{{cite web |title=classified structure numbers RD346-WA01 |url=http://www.hscl.cr.nps.gov/insidenps/summary.asp?PARK=GETT&STATE=&STRUCTURE=Slyder%20Barn&SORT=&PAGE=48 |work=List of Classified Structures |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=2010-02-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804002651/http://www.hscl.cr.nps.gov/insidenps/summary.asp?PARK=GETT&STATE=&STRUCTURE=Slyder%20Barn&SORT=&PAGE=48 |archive-date=2012-08-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> when the gravel South Confederate Avenue was constructed across the northwest slope.<ref name=Commission>{{cite web |title=The Gettysburg Commission Reports |url=http://www.gdg.org/Research/Authored%20Items/BCRReports/rprthm.html |format=transcribed versions: 1893-1921, 1927-1933 |location=Gettysburg Discussion Group |access-date=2010-02-04}} (original formats: [https://books.google.com/books?id=cT5ZAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA21 1895], [https://books.google.com/books?id=QAkTAAAAYAAJ 1900], [https://books.google.com/books?id=47YsAAAAIAAJ 1909], [https://books.google.com/books?id=WZodAQAAIAAJ 1912], [https://books.google.com/books?id=cpIsAAAAIAAJ 1918])</ref> In 1903, Wright Avenue was constructed along the northeast slope,<ref name=Commission/> and in 1937, South Confederate Avenue and the Plum Run stone bridge were rebuilt [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=hIklAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ufIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6215,2484659&dq=south-confederate+gettysburg&hl=en][https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=gYklAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ufIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1615,2571786&dq=south-confederate+gettysburg&hl=en] for the 75th battle anniversary and reunion.

In 1940, Seminary Ridge CCC workers rerouted the stone trail to the Big Round Top summit.<ref name=StarandSentinel>{{cite web |title=About this Newspaper: Star and Sentinel |url=https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83032076/ |work=Library of Congress: Chronicling America |access-date=2010-02-22}} :a. {{cite web |date=September 21, 1886 |title=The Pennsylvania Reserves at Gettysburg: Gen. Crawford's Contribution |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5FcmAAAAIBAJ&pg=4346,3052655&dq=rocky-ridge+devil's-den&hl=en |format=Google News |access-date=2010-02-21}} "''a deep, rocky depression separated it ''[Little Round Top]'' from the '''Great Round Top''' beyond. Into this depression Laws' brigade of Alabamians, supported by Robertson's Texans, had forced themselves and were advancing to the possession of '''Little Round Top'''.''" :b. {{cite web |date=Jul 13, 1940 |title=New Stone Walk Helps Climb on Big Round Top |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CIslAAAAIBAJ&pg=1096,5390501&dq=round-top+tower&hl=en |format=Google News |access-date=2010-02-19}}</ref>{{Rp|b}} Harry Truman visited Big Round Top in 1946.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110219221553/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,803816,00.html] In 1964, the Big Round Top Nature Trail  was created around the hill and provided access to the Devil's Kitchen.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3B8mAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8P0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=4785,1837654&dq=tower+round-top&hl=en] The 1895 Big Round Top Observation Tower was dismantled in 1968 and the foundation was named a historic ruin in 2004.

===Observation Tower=== Late in the day of July 3, Union brigadier general Judson Kilpatrick ordered the cavalry brigade of Brigadier General Elon Farnsworth to charge Confederate infantry of Major General John Bell Hood’s division who were on and near the slopes of Big Round Top. Hood had been wounded the previous day, and his division was under the command of Brigadier General Evander Law. One after another, three of the four regiments of Farnsworth’s brigade charged over broken ground into Confederate fire and were repulsed. The final regiment, the 1st Vermont, then made the attempt. Farnsworth divided it into three battalions and personally led the second battalion. The tower was built in the late 19th century. Fred Lyons of Baltimore led the construction team that moved the foundation's granite blocks to the Big Round Top summit using block and tackle driven by a 12-horsepower engine. Constructed on the Gettysburg Battlefield's highest hill, the Big Round Top tower was to be replaced for the 1938 anniversary reunion by a stone "Gettysburg Peace Memorial" with a 75-foot-high observation deck above the summit and a flame 30 feet higher.<ref name=StarandSentinel/> :a. {{cite web |date=January 30, 1937 |title=Measure Calls for Creation of $100,000 Fund; Eternal Light To Be Built on Battlefield and Dedicated at Anniversary and Reunion in 1938 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZYklAAAAIBAJ&pg=1052,3387574&dq=1937+big-round-top&hl=en |format=Google News Archive |access-date=2010-03-20}} :a.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 1, 1922 |title=Traffic Rules on Battlefield |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Zk4mAAAAIBAJ&pg=916,4623905&dq=wheatfield-road+gettysburg&hl=en |format=Google News Archive |access-date=2010-03-22}}</ref>{{Rp|a}}<ref>{{cite web |date=Jan 20, 1937 |title=Senator Rice Sponsors Bill for Gettysburg Peace Memorial |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CigzAAAAIBAJ&pg=6811,2285355&dq=1937+big-round-top&hl=en |format=Google News Archive |publisher=Gettysburg Compiler |access-date=2010-03-20}}</ref> (The memorial was instead erected on Oak Hill.)

====Destruction==== During 1968 tower maintenance, the Schlesser Demolition Co dismantled the Big Round Top tower<ref name=GettysburgTimes/><ref> :b. {{cite web |date=September 24, 1968 |title=Start Work on Tower |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KDUmAAAAIBAJ&pg=1468,3713414&dq=tower+round-top&hl=en |format=Google News Archive |access-date=2010-03-21}} :c. {{cite web |date=June 2, 1977 |title=Proposed Master Plan Lists Long Range Ideas For National Park Here |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=p5syAAAAIBAJ&pg=1800,2284410&dq=tower+round-top&hl=en |format=Google News Archive |access-date=2010-03-22}} :d. {{cite web |date=August 8, 1995 |title=100 Years Ago |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6BEmAAAAIBAJ&pg=2289,799618&dq=tower+round-top&hl=en |format=Google News Archive |access-date=2010-03-22}} :e. {{cite web |last=Neill |first=Bill |date=March 2, 1998 |title=Former commissioner urges 'common sense' |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uyoxAAAAIBAJ&pg=4388,28596&dq=national-landmark+big-round-top&hl=en |format=Google News Archive |access-date=2010-03-22}} </ref>{{Rp|b}} as uneconomical due to "''its condition and the very limited use ''[due to an uphill, lengthy, and serpentine trail.]'' Most who started the climb gave out en route, and upon reaching the tower decided against continuing the climb to the top of the metal observatory''" (GNMP Superintendent George F. Emery).<ref name=Emery>{{cite web |date=June 19, 1968 |title=Big Round Top to be Dismantled |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vDUmAAAAIBAJ&pg=2480,948014&dq=round-top+tower&hl=en |format=Google News |access-date=2010-02-18}}</ref> The foundation ruin (park structure RU05) of the "national landmark" tower,<ref name=GettysburgTimes/>{{Rp|e}} was "entered-documented" as a historic site on January 23, 2004.<ref name="hscl">{{cite web |title=classified structure numbers RD346-WA01 |url=http://www.hscl.cr.nps.gov/insidenps/summary.asp?PARK=GETT&STATE=&STRUCTURE=Slyder%20Barn&SORT=&PAGE=48 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120804002651/http://www.hscl.cr.nps.gov/insidenps/summary.asp?PARK=GETT&STATE=&STRUCTURE=Slyder%20Barn&SORT=&PAGE=48 |archive-date=2012-08-04 |access-date=2010-02-21 |work=List of Classified Structures |publisher=National Park Service |quote=''The tower was removed in {{sic|1961''}}}} ERRATA: The Big Round Top tower was dismantled in 1968 -- it was the Zeigler's Grove/Bryan House tower that was razed in 1961 [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WLslAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0PIFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1335,2501037&dq=zeigler+tower+gettysburg&hl=e] (~3 weeks after the nearby observation deck on Richard Neutra's Cyclorama Building had been built during Mission 66 for the 1963 anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg).</ref>

{{ external media |float=right|width=27em | image1 = [https://web.archive.org/web/20100223040126/http://www.gettysburgphotographs.com/gettysburg/Big%20Round%20Top/index.html monuments] | image2 = bas-relief of [https://www.vermonthistory.org/journal/73/06_Cross.pdf "Farnsworth's Charge"]{{Verify source|THE 1913 COMMISSION REPORT HAS THE PREVIOUS DAY: "fine bas-relief representing the charge of Brig. Gen. Farnsworth's Cavalry detachment July 2, 1863" |date=March 2010}} | image3 = [https://www.flickr.com/photos/fauxto_dkp/3821803665/ view from 300' National Tower] }}

==References== {{reflist|3}}

Category:Hills of Pennsylvania Category:Gettysburg Battlefield Category:Gettysburg National Military Park Category:Landforms of Adams County, Pennsylvania