Yeah but that's Ewell. If Jackson had survived he probably would have tried to take those heights no matter what.
You might be right. Our view of Gettysburg is somewhat scoured for many of us in the popular culture because of the "Killer Angles" perspective of Colonel Chamberland. The focus is usually on Little Round Top on the second day, and Picket's Charge on the third. It neglects at least two other vital actions. First the main part of Longstreet's attack on July 2, which caused the collapse of the Union 3rd Corps. Dan Sickles had moved his Corps out of a good defensive position forward into the vulnerable position in the "Peach Orchard" just in time to be hit broadside by Longstreet's attack. This rout almost cost the Union control of Cemetery Ridge, causing what was really the biggest crisis for the Union Army during the whole three-day battle at Gettysburg.
The other action was the heavy fighting on Culps Hill, and the northern end of Cemetery Ridge on July 2-3rd. If you ever get a chance to visit the battlefield, please take time to see that area, and then you will understand just how tough it would've been to take those hills from a determined enemy. It is far worse than the push up the rear of Little Round Top. The ground is steeper, more broken, and heavily wooded. Again, it was very difficult for the CSA troops to haul any guns up those hills. The Confederates were also pushing into the main position of the Union Army, which held the interior lines, so they were able to bring most of the army to bear against the Southern assault. They were in fact hitting the Union where it was strongest, and on the most defensible terrain of the whole battlefield.
The Union used in whole or in part 11th, 12th, and 6th Corps to hold, and then push the Confederates off that decisive ground. Meade knew that if he lost that area the whole position would be untenable, and the army would have to retreat, probably to the Pipe Creek position across the border in Maryland. Disengaging after losing the northern end of the "Fishhook" would be difficult at best, and more likely very hazardous for half of the Army of the Potomac. The blow to Union moral would be as serious as the material loses, and the Confederates would feel themselves invincible by winning a major victory in Union territory. Consequentially Meade would do everything in his power to prevent that from happening.
The Confederates lost that action, and suffered heavy losses doing it, and received little historical credit for their valor, which was as great as the men who engaged in Picket's Charge. That is also to say the valor of the Union men who stood their ground is also largely forgotten because of the obsession with Little Round Top.