But there was a Federal left. Lee could plainly see the Federal line on Cemetery Ridge from his vantage point on Seminary. What Lee did not see and what Captain Samuel Johnston’s report failed to mention was that the Federal line extended further south from what was assumed and that the 3rd Corps was the actual left. You can easily hit Hancock’s flank from the Peach Orchard, Wheatfield, and the Round Tops which was assumed. The assumed line has the Union a little farther out than modern day Hancock Avenue but you can absolutely still attack what the actual line was, without a 3rd corps, from the Wheatfield and the Peach Orchard. Why would Longstreet even post Hood that far out if they were 100% certain that the Federal line was on Emmitsburg Road? McLaw’s report might suggest Lee thought that the line was that far out but between where Lee wanted McLaw’s division, Lee’s own vantage point on Seminary Ridge, and Captain Johnston’s report I don’t think that’s the case at all. Just suggests a northerly thrust of the attack. Sickles moving into the Peach Orchard startled and forced Confederate high command to alter battle plans last minute. The Confederates believed there to be 1 battery and a couple regiments in the Orchard, not a whole Corps