American Civil War: The Battle of Gettysburg

Overview

• The Battle of Gettysburg was fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
• It was a pivotal battle of the American Civil War, fought between the Union and Confederate armies.

Causes of the Battle

• Confederate General Robert E. Lee launched an invasion of the North, hoping to win a decisive victory on Union territory and persuade the US government to recognize the Confederacy as a sovereign nation.
• Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, consisting of approximately 75,000 soldiers, marched into Pennsylvania in late June 1863.
• The Union Army of the Potomac, led by General George G. Meade, pursued Lee's army and prepared to engage them in battle.

The Battle

• Day 1 (July 1, 1863): Confederate forces pushed Union cavalry out of Gettysburg, and the two armies clashed on the outskirts of town. The Confederates drove the Union troops back through the town, but the Union lines held on high ground to the south.
• Day 2 (July 2, 1863): Lee's army launched a massive assault on the Union flanks, but the Union lines held. The fighting was intense and bloody, with heavy casualties on both sides.
• Day 3 (July 3, 1863): Lee's army launched a final assault, known as Pickett's Charge, against the Union center on Cemetery Ridge. The charge was repelled, and the Confederate army began to retreat.

Aftermath

• The Battle of Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, with over 50,000 casualties (killed, wounded, or missing) on both sides.
• The Confederate army never fully recovered from the defeat, and the battle is seen as a turning point in the war.
• On November 19, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, where many of the battle's dead were buried.

Battle of Gettysburg

• Fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, in and around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
• Pivotal battle of the American Civil War between the Union and Confederate armies

Causes of the Battle

• Confederate General Robert E. Lee launched an invasion of the North to win a decisive victory on Union territory and persuade the US government to recognize the Confederacy as a sovereign nation
• Lee's Army of Northern Virginia, consisting of approximately 75,000 soldiers, marched into Pennsylvania in late June 1863
• The Union Army of the Potomac, led by General George G. Meade, pursued Lee's army and prepared to engage them in battle

The Battle

• Day 1 (July 1, 1863): Confederate forces pushed Union cavalry out of Gettysburg, and the two armies clashed on the outskirts of town
• Confederate forces drove Union troops back through the town, but Union lines held on high ground to the south
• Day 2 (July 2, 1863): Lee's army launched a massive assault on the Union flanks, but the Union lines held
• Fighting was intense and bloody, with heavy casualties on both sides
• Day 3 (July 3, 1863): Lee's army launched a final assault, known as Pickett's Charge, against the Union center on Cemetery Ridge
• The charge was repelled, and the Confederate army began to retreat

Aftermath

• The Battle of Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, with over 50,000 casualties (killed, wounded, or missing) on both sides
• The Confederate army never fully recovered from the defeat, and the battle is seen as a turning point in the war
• President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg on November 19, 1863

Test your knowledge about the Battle of Gettysburg, a pivotal event in the American Civil War fought between the Union and Confederate armies from July 1 to July 3, 1863. Learn about the causes and significance of this battle.