“A great basin lay before us full of smoke and fire, and literally swarming with riderless horses and fighting, fleeing, and pursuing men.” LT Porter Farley, acting adjutant
Dan Nance’s print called, “Into the Valley of Death” Photo attributed to Gettysburg Greg on the Civil War Talk forum https://civilwartalk.com/threads/paddy-ororke-and-the-140th-ny-on-little-round-top.203444/
The 140th was a volunteer infantry regiment from Rochester, New York and the surrounding area. The unit was raised and commanded by COL Patrick O’Rourke, an Irish immigrant and West Point Graduate.
As part of 3rd Brigade (Weed), 2nd Division (Ayers), under V Corps, the 140th was enroute on the North slope of Little Round Top to support Sickle’s III Corps who had moved forward of the Union main battle line.
Brigadier General Gouverneur Warren, while reconnoitering LRT, realized it was inadequately defended and desperately sought units to defend this key piece of terrain. He positioned Vincent’s Brigade on the extreme left of the Union line. He then found O’Rourke and told him to move his unit. O’Rourke balked, explaining his current orders. Warren said he would take full responsibility for the 140th’s change of mission. With that, O’Rourke led his men over the top and strait into regiments of the Texas Brigade. The lead companies had no time to load or fix bayonets and charged in column. The weight of their charge stopped the Confederate advance. Unfortunately O’Rourke was killed urging his men on. His portrait in brass is part of the 140th monument on Little Round Top. The 140th suffered 26 killed, 89 wounded, and 18 missing.