on cemetery ridge, generals meade and hancock were scrambling to find reinforcements. meade had sent virtually all of his available troops (including most of the xii corps, who would be needed momentarily on culp's hill) to his left flank to counter longstreet's assault, leaving the center of his line relatively weak. there was insufficient infantry on cemetery ridge and only a few artillery pieces, rallied from the debacle of the peach orchard by lt. col. freeman mcgilvery.