Dates:

July 1-3, 1863

Other Names:

None

Location:

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Key Individuals Involved in the Battle of Gettysburg:

Union: Major General George G. Meade
Confederate: General Robert E. Lee

Outcome:

Union Victory. 51,000 casualties of which 28,000 were Confederate soldiers.

Significance of the Battle of Gettysburg:

Robert E. Lee attempted and failed to invade the North in a move designed to take pressure off of Virginia and possibly earn a victory that could end the war.

The failure of Pickett’s Charge meant that the South had lost. The loss for the South was demoralizing, and General Lee never again attempted to invade the North on this grand scale.

Overview of the Battle :

Gen. Robert E. Lee concentrated his full strength against Maj. Gen. George G. Meade’s Army of the Potomac at the crossroads county seat of Gettysburg. On July 1, Confederate forces converged on the town from west and north, driving Union defenders back through the streets to Cemetery Hill. During the night, reinforcements arrived for both sides. On July 2, Lee attempted to envelop the Federals, first striking the Union left flank at the Peach Orchard, Wheatfield, Devil’s Den, and the Round Tops with Longstreet’s and Hill’s divisions, and then attacking the Union right at Culp’s and East Cemetery Hills with Ewell’s divisions. By evening, the Federals retained Little Round Top and had repulsed most of Ewell’s men. During the morning of July 3, the Confederate infantry were driven from their last toe-hold on Culp’s Hill.

In the afternoon, after a preliminary artillery bombardment, Lee attacked the Union center on Cemetery Ridge. The Pickett-Pettigrew assault (more popularly, Pickett’s Charge) momentarily pierced the Union line but was driven back with severe casualties. Stuart’s cavalry attempted to gain the Union rear but was repulsed. On July 4, Lee began withdrawing his army toward Williamsport on the Potomac River. His train of wounded stretched more than fourteen miles.

Source: CWSAC Battle Summaries