The Battle of Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863) was the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War, resulting in over 50,000 casualties. This decisive Union victory under Major General George Meade against Confederate General Robert E. Lee's forces marked a turning point in the war.
The Battle of Gettysburg stands as one of the most pivotal moments in American history taking place from July 1-3 1863. This decisive clash between Union and Confederate forces marked a turning point in the Civil War and forever changed the nation's trajectory.
As the bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil the confrontation at Gettysburg Pennsylvania saw more than 50000 casualties over three days of intense fighting. The conflict began when Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia collided with the Union Army of the Potomac led by Major General George Meade. What started as a chance encounter quickly escalated into a full-scale battle that would determine the fate of the nation.
The Lead-Up to the Battle of Gettysburg
#Confederate General Robert E. Lee initiated a second invasion of the North in June 1863 following his success at Chancellorsville. The campaign aimed to draw Union forces away from Virginia and gather supplies for the Confederate army.
Lee's Northern Campaign Strategy
#Lee's Army of Northern Virginia moved through the Shenandoah Valley with 75,000 troops on June 3, 1863. The strategic objectives included:
- Shifting combat operations from war-torn Virginia to Pennsylvania's fertile farmland
- Targeting northern cities like Harrisburg Philadelphia to weaken Union morale
- Acquiring essential supplies food clothing ammunition from Pennsylvania's resources
- Threatening Washington D.C. to force Union troops away from Richmond
| Confederate Forces | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Infantry | 70,000 |
| Cavalry | 5,000 |
| Artillery Pieces | 280 |
- Deploying 90,000 troops to protect strategic positions in Maryland Pennsylvania
- Establishing defensive lines along key transportation routes
- Positioning cavalry units to track Confederate movements
- Implementing a parallel northward march to shield Washington Baltimore
| Union Forces | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Infantry | 85,000 |
| Cavalry | 5,000 |
| Artillery Pieces | 372 |
July 1, 1863: The First Day of Battle
#The Battle of Gettysburg began on July 1, 1863, when Confederate forces encountered Union cavalry led by Brigadier General John Buford west of Gettysburg. This initial engagement sparked a series of escalating confrontations that drew both armies toward the small Pennsylvania town.
Morning Cavalry Engagement
#Union cavalry detected Confederate infantry approaching Gettysburg from the west at 7:30 a.m. Brigadier General John Buford's 2,700 dismounted cavalrymen deployed along McPherson Ridge establishing a defensive position with artillery support. Using breech-loading carbines, Buford's troops held off Confederate General Henry Heth's division for 2.5 hours, buying crucial time for Union infantry reinforcements to arrive.
Afternoon Infantry Arrival
#Major General John Reynolds arrived with Union I Corps at 10:30 a.m., positioning his forces along Seminary Ridge. The fighting intensified at 2:30 p.m. when Confederate divisions under Generals Robert Rodes and Jubal Early struck the Union right flank. Union forces suffered significant losses, including General Reynolds who died from a sniper's bullet. By 4:00 p.m., Union troops retreated through Gettysburg to defensive positions on Cemetery Hill, leaving behind:
| Category | Union Losses | Confederate Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Casualties | 9,000 | 6,500 |
| Captured | 3,000 | 0 |
| Artillery Pieces Lost | 20 | 0 |
Union forces established a strong defensive line along Cemetery Ridge while Confederate troops halted their advance, failing to capitalize on their initial success. This decision proved significant for the battle's subsequent developments.
July 2, 1863: The Second Day of Combat
#The second day of battle began with Confederate General Robert E. Lee launching coordinated attacks against both flanks of the Union army. Confederate forces targeted key strategic positions including Little Round Top and Cemetery Ridge in attempts to break through Union defenses.
Little Round Top Defense
#Colonel Joshua Chamberlain's 20th Maine Regiment secured the critical high ground of Little Round Top at 4:00 p.m. The 386 soldiers of the 20th Maine faced repeated assaults from the 15th Alabama Regiment led by Colonel William C. Oates. After running low on ammunition following 3 hours of fighting, Chamberlain ordered a bayonet charge downhill that successfully repelled the Confederate attackers. This defense prevented Confederate forces from gaining control of the Union army's vulnerable left flank.
| Unit | Casualties |
|---|---|
| Confederate Forces | 4,500 |
| Union Forces | 4,500 |
| Total Losses | 9,000 |
July 3, 1863: The Final Day
#The Battle of Gettysburg reached its climax on July 3, 1863, marking a decisive turning point in the American Civil War. Confederate General Robert E. Lee launched a final offensive against the Union center at Cemetery Ridge.
Pickett's Charge
#Major General George Pickett led 12,500 Confederate soldiers in a desperate assault across open terrain toward the Union position. The attack began at 1:00 p.m. following a two-hour artillery bombardment comprising 150 Confederate guns. Union artillery commander Henry Hunt strategically conserved ammunition during the Confederate barrage, then unleashed devastating fire on the advancing troops. The assault covered nearly a mile of open ground, resulting in over 50% casualties among the attacking force. Union forces, positioned behind a stone wall at the charge's objective point known as "the Angle," repelled the Confederate advance through concentrated rifle musket fire.
| Pickett's Charge Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Confederate Troops | 12,500 |
| Distance Covered | 0.93 miles |
| Confederate Casualties | 6,555 |
| Artillery Pieces Used | 150 |
| Duration of Charge | 50 minutes |
Confederate Retreat
#Lee's army initiated its retreat at 10:00 p.m. on July 3, moving south through the Cashtown Gap. The 17-mile wagon train of wounded Confederate soldiers stretched along muddy roads toward Williamsport, Maryland. Heavy rains delayed the retreat, forcing Lee's army to establish defensive positions while awaiting lower water levels at the Potomac River crossing points. The Confederate army lost 28,063 soldiers during the three-day battle, representing 37% of Lee's initial force. Meade's Army of the Potomac sustained 23,049 casualties but maintained control of the battlefield, marking the Union's most significant victory in the Eastern Theater to date.
| Retreat Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Length of Wagon Train | 17 miles |
| Total Confederate Losses | 28,063 |
| Total Union Losses | 23,049 |
| Retreat Start Time | 10:00 p.m. |
Aftermath and Casualties
#The Battle of Gettysburg resulted in devastating losses for both armies and marked a significant turning point in the Civil War. The aftermath reshaped military strategies and influenced the war's ultimate outcome.
Military Losses
#The three-day battle produced staggering casualty figures:
| Army | Killed | Wounded | Missing/Captured | Total Casualties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union | 3,155 | 14,531 | 5,363 | 23,049 |
| Confederate | 4,708 | 12,693 | 10,662 | 28,063 |
The Confederate army lost 14 generals including Richard Garnett, Lewis Armistead, James Johnston Pettigrew. The Union army lost 3 generals: John Reynolds, Samuel Zook, Stephen Weed. Over 7,000 soldiers died directly on the battlefield while thousands more succumbed to wounds in field hospitals surrounding Gettysburg.
Strategic Impact
#The Battle of Gettysburg created several significant strategic consequences:
- Ended Confederate offensive operations in the Eastern Theater
- Forced Lee's Army of Northern Virginia into a defensive posture for the remainder of the war
- Secured the Union's control of key transportation routes in Pennsylvania
- Prevented Confederate forces from threatening major Northern cities including Philadelphia Washington
- Strengthened Union morale while depleting Confederate resources manpower
- Damaged Confederate military leadership through the loss of experienced officers generals
The Confederate retreat began on July 4 1863 with a wagon train of wounded stretching 17 miles. Union forces maintained possession of the battlefield resulting in their most decisive victory in the Eastern Theater to date.
Key Takeaways
#- The Battle of Gettysburg occurred from July 1-3, 1863, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, marking a crucial turning point in the American Civil War
- The battle began as an unexpected encounter between Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee and Union forces led by Major General George Meade
- Over three days of intense fighting, total casualties exceeded 50,000, making it the bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil
- Pickett's Charge on July 3 marked the battle's climax, with 12,500 Confederate soldiers launching an unsuccessful assault across nearly a mile of open terrain
- The battle ended in a decisive Union victory, with Confederate forces suffering 28,063 casualties compared to the Union's 23,049, effectively ending Lee's campaign in the North
- The battle's outcome significantly impacted the Civil War's trajectory, forcing Confederate forces into a defensive position for the remainder of the conflict
Conclusion
#The Battle of Gettysburg stands as a defining moment that shaped American history during those three fateful days in July 1863. The conflict's outcome dramatically altered the Civil War's trajectory and dealt a significant blow to Confederate military capabilities.
The battle's legacy extends far beyond its military significance. Today Gettysburg serves as both a solemn reminder of the enormous cost of war and a symbol of American resilience. The battlefield where over 50000 Americans fought and died now stands as a testament to the nation's determination to preserve the Union and the principles it represents.