Below, at the base of the hill, the battle raged with even greater violence; but feeling that it would be lost if Round Top Hill were yielded, the brave Union men determined to die in its defence, or hold it to the end. On came the rebels with their dreadful battle yell, as deafening as the roar of their artillery, and with fixed bayonets charged forward, a sea of gleaming, death-dealing, blood-stained steel, upon the noble, patriotic band, who met their attacks with unfaltering courage, and hand to hand fought them to the death, while the artillery rained a perfect torrent of shot and shell along the whole line. While this noble division, composed of Maine, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania regiments, all under command of General Barnes, were thus heroically resisting the rebels, the First division stood in danger of being completely swept away by the enemy’s advance. But now came General Ayres’ division, steadily marching forward, and with that indomitable bravery for which it was famed, and which had been displayed on previous battle-fields, poured down in resistless force upon the rebels, and saved the First division. Still harder pressed on the fight to obtain the coveted position on Round Top Hill; but the rebels were destined to defeat. General Meade sent orders to the Fourth and Fifth brigades of the Pennsylvania reserves to clear the hill of the enemy, and the movement began at once, superintended by General Crawford in person. Hastily forming his line General Crawford ordered a dash to be made, and the enemy was immediately driven back. One rebel brigade, under General Anderson, made a stand in a gap of the woods, but was fallen upon by a brigade under Colonel McCandless, and completely routed or taken prisoners. The Union men pressed on after the retreating rebels, and drove them back headlong and in wild confusion through the valley and into the woods beyond. Returning then to the hill so bravely fought for, and won with the blood of heroes, the Fourth and Fifth brigades took up their position there and held it to the close of the fight. Great credit is given to General Crawford for his management of this affair. The honor of the army was saved by the brilliant action of the reserves. The loss of so many arms was entirely regained by this dash, and the ground upon which so many of the Union wounded lay without assistance, rescued from the enemy. Not one of the wounded had received the least assistance, and the groans of the suffering and dying men were terrible. Ambulances were immediately sent for, under orders of General Crawford, and the wounded were cared for.