Battle of Gettysburg

Thure de Thulstrup - L. Prang and Co. - Battle of Gettysburg - Restoration by Adam Cuerden

FieldOfGettysburg1863

Negroes Being Driven South By the Rebel Officers (November 1862), by Harper's Weekly

Gettysburg Campaign

Gettysburg Battle Map Day1

Gettysburg Day2 Plan

The Battle of Gettysburg was a significant battle during the American Civil War. It took place from July 1 to July 3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle involved the largest number of casualties of the entire war and is often described as the war's turning point. Union Major General George Meade's Army of the Potomac defeated attacks by Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, halting Lee's invasion of the North.

Background

The American Civil War began in 1861, primarily over the issues of slavery and states' rights. By 1863, the war had reached a critical point. General Lee sought to invade the North to relieve pressure on Virginia's farms during the growing season and to influence Northern politicians to give up the fight.

Prelude to the Battle

In June 1863, Lee's army crossed the Potomac River and moved into Pennsylvania. The Union army, under the new command of General Meade, moved to intercept Lee. The two armies met unexpectedly at Gettysburg on July 1, 1863.

The Battle

Day 1: July 1, 1863

The battle began on the morning of July 1, 1863, as elements of the two armies collided at Gettysburg. Confederate forces attacked Union troops, driving them back through the town to the high ground south of Gettysburg.

Day 2: July 2, 1863

On July 2, Lee launched a series of attacks on the Union flanks. The most significant fighting occurred at locations such as Little Round Top, Devil's Den, the Wheatfield, and the Peach Orchard. Despite heavy losses, Union forces held their ground.

Day 3: July 3, 1863

The final day of the battle featured Pickett's Charge, a massive infantry assault on the center of the Union lines on Cemetery Ridge. The charge was repulsed with heavy Confederate losses, marking the end of the battle.

Aftermath

The Battle of Gettysburg resulted in approximately 51,000 casualties. Lee's army retreated to Virginia, and the Union victory bolstered Northern morale. The battle is often cited as a turning point in the Civil War because it ended Lee's invasion of the North and set the stage for Union victories in subsequent campaigns.

Significance

The Battle of Gettysburg is considered a pivotal event in American history. It was followed by President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, which redefined the purpose of the war and emphasized the principles of human equality.

Related Pages

• American Civil War
• Gettysburg Address
• George Meade
• Robert E. Lee
• Pickett's Charge
• Little Round Top
• Cemetery Ridge