The Battle of Gettysburg was a big fight during the Civil War.
It took place in Pennsylvania from July 1-3, 1863.
This battle changed the war in a big way.
The Union Army beat the Confederate Army at Gettysburg, stopping their march into the North. Many soldiers died or got hurt on both sides.
It was very sad for everyone.
After the battle, President Abraham Lincoln gave a famous speech called the Gettysburg Address.
He talked about freedom and equality for all people.
This speech is still important today.
The Battle of Gettysburg and Lincoln’s words helped shape our country.
Background and Context
The Battle of Gettysburg took place during a crucial period in the American Civil War.
It came after major Confederate victories and represented a bold attempt by the South to invade the North.
Road to Gettysburg
In early 1863, the Confederate Army was riding high after winning the Battle of Chancellorsville.
General Robert E. Lee felt confident enough to launch a second invasion of the North.
His Army of Northern Virginia marched from Virginia into Pennsylvania.
Lee hoped to gather supplies and possibly threaten major Northern cities.
The Union Army of the Potomac chased after Lee’s forces. President Lincoln had just put General George G. Meade in charge of this army.
Key Military Leaders
General Robert E. Lee led the Confederate forces.
He was known for his tactical brilliance and had won several major battles.
On the Union side, General George G. Meade commanded the Army of the Potomac.
He had only been in charge for a few days before the battle started.
Other important leaders included:
- James Longstreet (Confederate)
- George Pickett (Confederate)
- John Buford (Union)
- Joshua Chamberlain (Union)
Strategic Objectives
The Confederates wanted to invade the North to:
- Gather much-needed supplies
- Take pressure off Virginia farmland
- Potentially capture a major Northern city
- Win a decisive battle to boost Southern morale
The Union Army aimed to:
- Protect Northern territory and cities
- Stop Lee’s invasion
- Defeat the Confederate army in battle
Both sides knew a major clash was coming.
The town of Gettysburg, with its network of roads, became the focal point where their armies would meet.
Day One of the Battle
The first day of the Battle of Gettysburg saw intense fighting as Confederate and Union forces clashed unexpectedly.
Cavalry and infantry units engaged in fierce combat, with the tide of battle shifting throughout the day.
Initial Engagements
Union cavalry under John Buford spotted Confederate troops approaching Gettysburg on July 1, 1863.
Buford’s men quickly set up defensive positions west of town.
Around 8 a.m., Confederate General Henry Heth’s division advanced along the Chambersburg Pike.
They ran into Buford’s cavalry, sparking the battle’s first shots.
Buford’s troops fought bravely to slow the Confederate advance.
They bought time for Union infantry reinforcements to arrive.
By late morning, both sides had called for backup.
The battle was heating up fast!
Union Retreat to High Ground
As more troops poured in, fighting spread north and west of Gettysburg.
The Union’s I Corps joined the fray, clashing with Confederates in fierce combat.
Despite putting up a good fight, Union forces found themselves outnumbered.
By afternoon, they began falling back through town.
The Union troops retreated to high ground south of Gettysburg.
They set up new defensive positions on Cemetery Hill and Culp’s Hill.
This move to high ground would prove crucial.
It gave the Union a strong position for the rest of the battle.
Confederate Opportunities
The Confederates had won the day, pushing Union forces out of Gettysburg.
But they failed to take the high ground south of town.
General Lee arrived on the scene late in the day.
He ordered General Ewell to attack Cemetery Hill “if practicable.”
Ewell decided against an attack.
This choice let the Union strengthen their positions overnight.
Some think the Confederates missed a big chance here.
Taking the hills might have changed the whole battle!
As night fell, both armies knew the fight was far from over.
They prepared for what the next day would bring.
Day Two: Flank Attacks
The second day of the Battle of Gettysburg saw fierce fighting as Confederate forces attacked both flanks of the Union line.
These attacks led to brutal combat in key areas of the battlefield.
Little Round Top
Little Round Top became a crucial battleground on July 2, 1863.
Union forces rushed to defend this hill on the far left of their line.
The 20th Maine Regiment played a key role here.
Led by Colonel Joshua Chamberlain, they held off repeated Confederate assaults.
When they ran low on ammo, Chamberlain ordered a daring bayonet charge.
This bold move helped save the Union left flank from collapse.
The fight for Little Round Top showed how important good leadership could be.
It also highlighted the bravery of soldiers on both sides.
Devil’s Den and the Wheatfield
Near Little Round Top, more bloody fights broke out.
Confederate troops pushed into the rocky area called Devil’s Den.
They also attacked the nearby Wheatfield.
Union General Daniel Sickles made a risky move.
He pushed his men forward without orders.
This left them exposed to Confederate attacks.
Heavy fighting raged back and forth in the Wheatfield.
The area changed hands several times.
By the end of the day, the field was littered with dead and wounded from both armies.
The Assault on Cemetery Hill
As evening fell, Confederate forces also attacked the Union right flank.
Their target was Cemetery Hill, a key part of the Union line.
Louisiana and North Carolina troops led this assault.
They managed to briefly break through Union defenses.
But Union reinforcements soon arrived to push them back.
This attack might have succeeded if supported by more Confederate troops.
Instead, it became another missed opportunity for the Southern army.
The failed assault on Cemetery Hill ended the day’s major fighting.
Both armies had suffered heavy losses.
They now prepared for what the next day might bring.
Day Three and Pickett’s Charge
The third day of the Battle of Gettysburg saw a major Confederate attack that ended in disaster.
This assault, now known as Pickett’s Charge, was a turning point in the battle and the war.
Culmination of the Battle
On July 3, 1863, Confederate General Robert E. Lee ordered a massive attack on the Union center.
The assault began around 3 p.m. after a big artillery barrage.
About 12,500 Confederate soldiers marched across open fields toward the Union lines on Cemetery Ridge.
The attack force included George Pickett’s division and other units.
Union soldiers waited behind stone walls and fired as the Confederates got closer.
The attacking troops faced heavy losses from cannons and rifles.
Only a small number of Confederates reached the Union lines.
This spot became known as the “High Water Mark of the Confederacy.”
Aftermath of the Attack
Pickett’s Charge failed badly for the Confederates.
They suffered around 6,000 casualties, while the Union lost about 1,500 men.
The attack left a trail of dead and wounded soldiers across the battlefield.
It was a crushing blow to Confederate hopes of winning at Gettysburg.
After the failed charge, Lee had no choice but to retreat.
His army left Gettysburg on July 4 and headed back to Virginia.
The Union victory at Gettysburg was a major turning point in the Civil War.
It stopped Lee’s invasion of the North and boosted Northern morale.
Casualties and Losses
The Battle of Gettysburg took a huge toll on both armies.
It was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, with massive losses on both sides.
Human Cost
The three-day battle left over 50,000 soldiers dead, wounded, or missing.
That’s more than one-third of all the men who fought there! Union forces suffered about 23,000 casualties, while Confederate losses were around 28,000.
The Union’s Second Corps faced some of the heaviest fighting.
They lost over 4,000 men defending key positions like Cemetery Ridge.
Many soldiers died on the battlefield.
Others passed away later from their wounds in makeshift hospitals set up in homes and barns.
Impact on Both Sides
The huge losses hit both armies hard.
The Union could replace their fallen soldiers more easily.
But for the Confederates, these losses were harder to make up.
Some units lost most of their men.
The 26th North Carolina regiment started with 843 soldiers.
By the battle’s end, only 60 were left unhurt.
The high death toll shocked people back home.
Newspapers printed long lists of the dead and wounded.
Families waited anxiously for news of their loved ones.
Gettysburg’s aftermath showed the war’s brutal cost.
It made many wonder how much longer the fighting could go on.
After the Battle
The Battle of Gettysburg left both armies exhausted and battered.
In the days that followed, the Confederates began their retreat while the Union forces responded cautiously.
Retreat of the Confederate Army
General Robert E. Lee’s army was in bad shape after Gettysburg.
They started moving south on July 4, 1863.
The Confederate retreat was slow and difficult.
Thousands of wounded soldiers had to be carried in wagons.
The army faced many challenges:
- Heavy rain made roads muddy
- Union cavalry attacks slowed them down
- Lack of food and supplies
Lee’s goal was to reach the Potomac River.
He wanted to cross it and get back to Virginia.
But when they got there, the river was too high to cross.
The Confederates were stuck on the wrong side for days.
Union Response
The Union Army, led by General George Meade, didn’t chase the Confederates right away.
They were tired too.
Meade was careful and moved slowly.
He didn’t want to make a mistake after such a big win.
President Lincoln was frustrated.
He thought Meade should attack faster.
The Union Army finally caught up with Lee’s forces in Maryland.
But by then, the Confederates had built strong defenses.
Meade decided not to attack.
He thought it was too risky.
This decision let Lee’s army escape back to Virginia.
The Union had won the battle, but they missed a chance to maybe end the war sooner.
The Gettysburg Address
President Abraham Lincoln gave a short but powerful speech at Gettysburg in 1863.
His words still inspire people today and helped unite the country during a difficult time.
Lincoln’s Famous Speech
President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863.
He spoke at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
The speech was very short – only about 2 minutes long.
Lincoln’s words were simple but meaningful.
He talked about freedom and equality for all people.
He said the Civil War was a test of whether a country based on these ideas could survive.
The speech started with the famous line: “Four score and seven years ago…” This referred to the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Lincoln wanted to connect the current struggle to the nation’s founding ideals.
Impact on the Nation
The Gettysburg Address had a big effect on the country.
It gave new meaning to the Civil War.
Lincoln framed the conflict as a fight for human equality, not just to keep the country together.
The speech helped boost Northern morale.
It reminded people why they were fighting.
Lincoln’s words also gained more meaning after his assassination in 1865.
Today, the Gettysburg Address is one of the most famous speeches in American history.
Students still memorize it in school.
The speech’s ideas about democracy and equality remain important in American culture and politics.
Memorialization and Legacy
The Battle of Gettysburg left a lasting mark on American history.
Its importance is reflected in the creation of a national park and ongoing commemorative events.
Creation of the National Park
The Gettysburg National Military Park was established in 1895.
It preserves the battlefield and honors those who fought there.
The park covers about 6,000 acres of land.
Visitors can see many important sites.
These include Little Round Top and Cemetery Ridge.
The park has over 1,300 monuments and markers.
They tell the story of the battle and its participants.
A key feature is the Gettysburg National Cemetery.
It’s the final resting place for many Union soldiers.
President Abraham Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address here in 1863.
Commemoration and Reenactments
Gettysburg hosts many events to remember the battle.
The biggest is the annual Battle of Gettysburg reenactment.
Thousands of history buffs dress up as soldiers and civilians.
They recreate scenes from the battle.
July 1-3 are especially busy days in Gettysburg.
These mark the anniversary of the battle.
People attend talks, tours, and ceremonies.
Living history demonstrations show what life was like in 1863.
The park also offers year-round programs.
Rangers give talks about different aspects of the battle.
Visitors can take guided tours of the battlefield.
These activities help keep the memory of Gettysburg alive.
Analysis and Historical Debates
The Battle of Gettysburg sparked many discussions about military choices and possible outcomes.
Experts still talk about the battle’s impact and what might have been different.
Military Strategy Review
The Union and Confederate armies used different battle plans at Gettysburg.
The Union held the high ground, which gave them an advantage.
This choice helped them win in the end.
Robert E. Lee’s decision to attack the center of the Union line on the last day is often questioned.
This move, known as Pickett’s Charge, led to heavy Confederate losses.
Some think Lee should have tried to go around the Union army instead.
The Union’s defensive tactics worked well.
They used the hills and rocky areas to their benefit.
This smart use of the land helped them beat back the Confederate attacks.
Controversies and What-If Scenarios
People often wonder what would have happened if the Confederates had won at Gettysburg.
Some think it could have changed the whole war.
A Confederate victory might have led to peace talks or even Southern independence.
Another big “what-if” is about J.E.B. Stuart’s cavalry.
They arrived late to the battle.
If they had been there from the start, the Confederates might have had better information about Union positions.
The idea of Gettysburg as the war’s main turning point is debated.
While it was a big Union win, some historians say other battles were just as important in deciding the war’s outcome.
Further Readings and Resources
Many books, articles, and online resources offer in-depth info about the Battle of Gettysburg.
They cover different angles like military tactics, personal stories, and the war’s impact on the United States and Confederate States.
Books and Articles
Comprehensive studies of the Pennsylvania Campaign and Gettysburg are great starting points. “The Gettysburg Campaign” by Edwin B. Coddington gives a detailed look at the battle’s lead-up and aftermath.
For a focus on specific days, Harry W. Pfanz’s books are top picks.
His work on July 2nd is known for its thorough research and clear writing.
Primary sources offer firsthand accounts. “A Comprehensive Narrative” by Jesse Bowman Young shares an officer’s view of the campaign.
Online Databases and Archives
The internet has made Gettysburg research easier than ever. Addressing Gettysburg offers a growing list of trusted books about the battle, park, and Civil War.
For primary sources, you can find the Sanitary Commission report by John Hancock Douglas.
This report gives insight into medical care during the battle and is available through some online libraries.
Many universities have Civil War databases.
These databases often include soldier diaries, maps, and official records from both the United States and Confederate armies.