A Confederate company officer leading an uphill assault carried a sword that did nothing useful in combat — its real purpose was to be visible. The drawn blade above the line told the men where their captain was, kept the formation oriented on him as terrain broke it apart, and gave the soldiers something to follow when orders could not be heard over the noise. The officer was therefore the most-targeted man in his company. Civil War officer casualty rates ran roughly twice the rate of the enlisted men they led. On the slope of Little Round Top, the Texas Brigade lost multiple regimental and company officers killed or wounded — including Col. John Marshall of the 4th Texas at the head of the charge. The men kept going up.

This W. Britain set is the second Scrambling Up the Round Tops scene — a Confederate officer leading the climb with drawn saber raised high, and an enlisted infantryman following with bayonet fixed and rifle at the ready. The officer wears the gold-laced gray frock coat of a regimental commander, slouch hat with gold cord, the saber scabbard at his hip, and the wide officer's sash. The enlisted man behind him wears the regulation Confederate gray shell jacket, light blue trousers, and slouch hat. The two boulder accessories complete the rocky climb of the Little Round Top slope. The set pairs naturally with the No.1 Scrambling Up set and the Union Defending scenes for a multi-figure Little Round Top diorama. Pair this set with Scrambling Up the Round Tops Set No.1, the matched Confederate companion; with Col. William C. Oates of the 15th Alabama, the regimental commander who led one of the regiments attacking this position; or with Defending the Round Tops No.1, the Union counterpart scene.

Scale: 1/30 (60mm). Matte-painted metal. W. Britain model 31490. From the American Civil War range. Two figures and two scenic accessories (boulders), supplied painted and ready for display.