GDG- 40th NY monument question

[Alan D. Brunelle]

First in (probably) a long stream of seemingly unrelated questions after 
a trip to Gettysburg.

The 40th NY Infantry monument in Plum Run Valley just east of Houck's 
Ridge (one of the coolest monuments according to my son, and I hate to 
agree with him, but sometimes I think he's right), the soldier faces 
west - towards the ridge. I've heard "myths"(?) about statues having to 
have soldiers facing the direction they fought. (Although, Adelman and 
Smith in their PCN produced video concerning the Rose Farm are quite 
clear that this is indeed just a myth, and that there are a number of 
exceptions to this rule.)

In any event, did the 40th NY remain in this position /after/ Houck's 
Ridge was overrun by the Confederates? [I'd hope not - as the position 
looks pretty much untenable if the Ridge is held...] (Or, was the statue 
aligned as such for other reasons...from my readings I'd have assumed 
the 40th NY would be facing more south/southwest (down the gorge) rather 
than almost due west.)

Thanks,
Alan