Historians now recognize the brilliant record of the 4th New York Independent Battery at the Battle of Gettysburg. Alone and only feebly supported, this artillery battery, led by Captain James Smith, bore the first assault of Hood's Division on Devil's Den, in front of Round Top in the battle of the second day. Smith himself was commended on the field by General Henry Jackson Hunt (chief of artillery). The 4th Battery imposed a delay on Hood's troops at Devil's Den, which gave time to Union General Warren to hasten forward defenders for Little Round Top, which, it is claimed, was lost by the enemy by less than five minutes. The title is ironic, since in Smith's day, the activities of the 4th at Gettysburg were little known.