Much of the victory belonged to captains and sergeants who made a decision under immediate fire. Retreat and advance both carried risk, but staying in the captured rifle pits allowed Confederate artillery to range a stationary target. Moving uphill disrupted that firing solution and exploited the collapse already beginning above them. A timely imperfect decision can preserve initiative, whereas indecision leaves troops exposed long enough for the enemy to concentrate effects.
Notable Point · 2:25:50-2:26:31
At Missionary Ridge, indecision became the deadliest choice
The improvised climb succeeded because junior leaders recognized that remaining exposed in the rifle pits was more dangerous than advancing without orders.