In the 1993 movie Gettysburg, the legendary right-wheel charge of the 20th Maine was immortalized on screen. In that version, Chamberlain clearly orders the charge, and just as clearly intends it to be a right-wheel movement, with the refused left flank moving around first, followed by the rest of the regiment. (By and large in fact, the fighting on Little Round Top depicted in the movie is a fair interpretation of Chamberlain's version of events.)
In reality though, accounts vary once again. In his 1884 report (dated July of 1863), Chamberlain left no doubt: "Holding fast by our right, and swinging forward our left, we made an extended 'right wheel,' before which the enemy's second line broke and fell back..."
Though he does not actually claim to have ordered the right wheel, the implication is clear enough. "Holding fast by our right, and swinging forward our left" sound very much like actions that were done on purpose, according to orders. (And as depicted in the movie.) But is this what actually happened?
Once again, Ellis Spear remembered things differently. Spear's post-war account implied that the left of Chamberlain's line actually advanced more or less straight ahead rather than wheeling to the right as the men charged down the hill. Spear claimed that a large number of enemy troops were captured in a country lane where they had headed in an effort to escape. This lane, the remains of which are still visible, was located approximately to the front of Spear and his men on the left flank.
If these troops had charged down and to their right rather than straight ahead, in the direction of the lane, the Confederates retreating down the lane would have escaped. Since they did not, it stands to reason that at least some of the Union soldiers did not take part in a right-wheel movement.
Spear's recollection was confirmed by the 20th Maine's official historian, Captain Howard L. Prince, in 1889. "The advance of the right of our regiment was nearly at right angles to [the enemy's] line of retreat...the bewildered dashed in all directions seeking for safety, many rushing towards a lane in the direction of the rear of our army..."
If true - and the evidence seems compelling - then the left side of Chamberlain's line appears to have attacked the 15th Alabama, located in their front, while the companies on the right went after the 47th Alabama to their front, capturing troops from other nearby enemy units in the process.
