Early in the day on July 2, Lee issued orders to Longstreet and Ewell to launch simultaneous attacks on the Union left and right (respectively), Ewell's attack to be coordinated from the initiation of Longstreet's, since the latter had farther to go to get into position. Longstreet argued against the plan, but was overruled by Lee. Lee detached a member of his HQ staff, Capt. S. R. Johnston, to lead Longstreet's column to the Federal left flank. After a delayed departure at noon, the column crested a rise near Black Horse Tavern where it came into view from the Round Tops. Col. A. P. Alexander had led his artillery around the hill to the south earlier in the day and later commented that Longstreet's men should have simply "followed the horse droppings" to do the same. However, instead Longstreet's column laboriously retraced its route and marched by a different path to the jump-off point, adding about 2 hours and delaying the attack until 3:30 pm. When they finally arrived, they discovered Sickles' 3rd Corps pushed forward into the Peach Orchard along the Emmitsburg Road, far in advance of the rest of the Union line.

(7-01) After a delayed departure at noon, Longstreet's column crested this hill near Black Horse Tavern where it came into view from the Round Tops
   
Panorama: At the top of the hill the troops were visible from the Round Tops
  
Panorama: Scene that met Longstreet's troops as they emerged from the southern end of Pitzer Woods
  
Panorama: View near Pitzer's Woods from south battlefield observation tower

(7-01) The Peach Orchard from the south battlefield observation tower. Trostle farm is just behind it

(7-01) Sherfy and Klingle farms and "the angle" from the south battlefield observation tower. Note Pennsylvania Monument dome at far right

(7-01) Looking west toward Longstreet's countermarch from the observation tower