With many casualties and ammunition running low, Col. Chamberlain recognized the dire circumstances and ordered his left wing (which was now looking southeast, compared to the rest of the regiment, which was facing west) to initiate a bayonet charge.
Med store tab og ikke ret meget ammunition tilbage indså oberst Chamberlain den vanskelige situation og beordrede sin venstre fløj, (som nu havde retning mod sydøst, mens resten af regimentet pegede mod vest) til at indlede et bajonetangreb.