The Battle of Gettysburg: History & Voices

General Robert E. Lee Born on January 19, 1807 at "Stratford" in Westmoreland County Virginia Born on January 19, 1807 at "Stratford" in Westmoreland County Virginia Lee declined an offer to command the Union Army at the outbreak of the Civil War and offered his services to his native state. Lee declined an offer to command the Union Army at the outbreak of the Civil War and offered his services to his native state. Commander of the Confederate "Army of Northern Virginia". Commander of the Confederate "Army of Northern Virginia". Under his command, this army exploited Union mismanagement on numerous battlefields, making Lee one of the most victorious commanders in the Confederacy. Under his command, this army exploited Union mismanagement on numerous battlefields, making Lee one of the most victorious commanders in the Confederacy.

George Gordon Meade Born in Cadiz, Spain on December 31, 1815, Meade was primarily raised in Philadelphia though his family later moved to the Baltimore area. Born in Cadiz, Spain on December 31, 1815, Meade was primarily raised in Philadelphia though his family later moved to the Baltimore area. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Meade offered his services to Pennsylvania and was appointed brigadier general of volunteers in command of a brigade of Pennsylvania regiments. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Meade offered his services to Pennsylvania and was appointed brigadier general of volunteers in command of a brigade of Pennsylvania regiments.

Meade June 28, 1863, while the army camped near Frederick, Maryland, when a courier arrived at Meade's tent bearing the news that he was appointed to command the Army of the Potomac. June 28, 1863, while the army camped near Frederick, Maryland, when a courier arrived at Meade's tent bearing the news that he was appointed to command the Army of the Potomac. Meade protested at first but accepted his assignment; devised a plan to set the army in motion northward to find Lee Meade protested at first but accepted his assignment; devised a plan to set the army in motion northward to find Lee

July 1, The Battle Begins On June 30, Confederate troops left their camps at Cashtown and marched toward Gettysburg in search of supplies. On June 30, Confederate troops left their camps at Cashtown and marched toward Gettysburg in search of supplies. Upon reaching the edge of Gettysburg, scouts spied a column of Union cavalry south of town, closing fast. Upon reaching the edge of Gettysburg, scouts spied a column of Union cavalry south of town, closing fast.

Under orders not to initiate a battle, the Confederates returned to Cashtown where they reported the encounter to their commander, Lt. General A.P. Hill. Under orders not to initiate a battle, the Confederates returned to Cashtown where they reported the encounter to their commander, Lt. General A.P. Hill. Hill agreed to send two divisions of his corps toward Gettysburg the next day to investigate the arrival of the mystery cavalrymen and the stage was set for the opening of the battle on July 1st, Hill agreed to send two divisions of his corps toward Gettysburg the next day to investigate the arrival of the mystery cavalrymen and the stage was set for the opening of the battle on July 1st, 1863.

July 2, "A most terrible day..." July 1 was a great victory for General Lee, but not a decisive one. July 1 was a great victory for General Lee, but not a decisive one. Though the Union forces had been badly mauled, they had retreated to a strong position south of Gettysburg. Though the Union forces had been badly mauled, they had retreated to a strong position south of Gettysburg. General Meade arrived on the battlefield near midnight and after discussions with his corps commanders, decided to wait for the rest of his army to concentrate around Cemetery Hill. General Meade arrived on the battlefield near midnight and after discussions with his corps commanders, decided to wait for the rest of his army to concentrate around Cemetery Hill.

Come the morning of July 2, he would attack Lee or defend the prominent hills where his men now rested. Come the morning of July 2, he would attack Lee or defend the prominent hills where his men now rested. Lee, meanwhile, seated in his headquarters tent on Seminary Ridge, pondered the growing strength of the Union position south of Gettysburg. If only he could hear from his cavalry chief J.E.B. Stuart and information he could provide about the remainder of the Union army. Lee, meanwhile, seated in his headquarters tent on Seminary Ridge, pondered the growing strength of the Union position south of Gettysburg. If only he could hear from his cavalry chief J.E.B. Stuart and information he could provide about the remainder of the Union army.

July 3 - "I will strike him there..." At the end of the second day, apart from the precious foothold on Culp's Hill, the Confederate gamble of simultaneous attacks had failed. At the end of the second day, apart from the precious foothold on Culp's Hill, the Confederate gamble of simultaneous attacks had failed. Knowing that he could not sustain more than another full day of battle, a frustrated Lee was working at his headquarters when a smiling General "JEB" Stuart arrived. Knowing that he could not sustain more than another full day of battle, a frustrated Lee was working at his headquarters when a smiling General "JEB" Stuart arrived. The disgusted army commander admonished Stuart for his long absence and failure to report Union movements in the weeks prior to the battle. Yet…Stuart's cavalry would fit prominently into Lee's strategy for the next day of battle. The disgusted army commander admonished Stuart for his long absence and failure to report Union movements in the weeks prior to the battle. Yet…Stuart's cavalry would fit prominently into Lee's strategy for the next day of battle.

Meanwhile, General Meade held a "Council of War" at his headquarters on the Taneytown Road. Though the Union line had been restored by midnight there was still a sizeable Confederate force on Culp's Hill. Meanwhile, General Meade held a "Council of War" at his headquarters on the Taneytown Road. Though the Union line had been restored by midnight there was still a sizeable Confederate force on Culp's Hill."Council of War""Council of War" Almost to a man, his generals agreed to stay at Gettysburg, retake and secure Culp's Hill, and then wait for Lee to attack. If he did not, then Meade should order a counterattack and force Lee to fight or flee. Almost to a man, his generals agreed to stay at Gettysburg, retake and secure Culp's Hill, and then wait for Lee to attack. If he did not, then Meade should order a counterattack and force Lee to fight or flee. The Gettysburg Campaign was about to reach its climax. The Gettysburg Campaign was about to reach its climax.

PICKETT’S CHARGE On July 3, the Rebels spent the whole morning and part of the afternoon preparing and moving into position for the charge. On July 3, the Rebels spent the whole morning and part of the afternoon preparing and moving into position for the charge. At one o’clock in the afternoon, the South opened fire with their big guns, cannons, and weapons. At one o’clock in the afternoon, the South opened fire with their big guns, cannons, and weapons. Union cannons answered back, leaving the battlefield shrouded in blinding smoke and dust. Union cannons answered back, leaving the battlefield shrouded in blinding smoke and dust. The Yankee soldiers watched in amazement as about 14,000 Confederate soldiers formed an orderly line that stretched for a mile, and marched to Cemetery Ridge. The Yankee soldiers watched in amazement as about 14,000 Confederate soldiers formed an orderly line that stretched for a mile, and marched to Cemetery Ridge.

BLOODY WAR “Pickett’s Charge,” became known as one of the most incredible efforts in military history. “Pickett’s Charge,” became known as one of the most incredible efforts in military history. The Confederates were suddenly being hit by cannons that were using grapeshot’s (a shell containing iron balls that flew apart when fired) and deadly accurate rifle volleys. The Confederates were suddenly being hit by cannons that were using grapeshot’s (a shell containing iron balls that flew apart when fired) and deadly accurate rifle volleys. Union soldiers later recalled that they could hardly even fire a shot without hitting a Confederate soldier. Bravely, the survivors form the hail storm of bombs continued moving forward, until they were close enough to charge. Union soldiers later recalled that they could hardly even fire a shot without hitting a Confederate soldier. Bravely, the survivors form the hail storm of bombs continued moving forward, until they were close enough to charge. 30 minutes=1/2 Confederates casualties 30 minutes=1/2 Confederates casualties

END OF THE WAR With the failure of Pickett’s Charge, the Battle of Gettysburg was over. On the afternoon of July 4, 1863, Lee’s men retreated, loaded up their wounded into wagons and rode away, leaving their dead soldiers behind. As they left, this small town of only 2,400 was devastatingly left with approximately 3,155 dead Federal soldiers and 3,903 Confederate soldiers killed. With the failure of Pickett’s Charge, the Battle of Gettysburg was over. On the afternoon of July 4, 1863, Lee’s men retreated, loaded up their wounded into wagons and rode away, leaving their dead soldiers behind. As they left, this small town of only 2,400 was devastatingly left with approximately 3,155 dead Federal soldiers and 3,903 Confederate soldiers killed.

The Battle Ends Stuart successfully marched east of Gettysburg and turned his force south where they encountered a strong Union cavalry force blocking the Hanover Road. Stuart successfully marched east of Gettysburg and turned his force south where they encountered a strong Union cavalry force blocking the Hanover Road. A spirited battle ensued with troopers of both armies fighting on foot and horseback.. A spirited battle ensued with troopers of both armies fighting on foot and horseback.. Southern charges meant to slice through the Union line were stopped cold by Union cavalrymen led by Brig. General George Armstrong Custer. His attempt to raid the Union rear thwarted, Stuart withdrew and retired toward Gettysburg…. Southern charges meant to slice through the Union line were stopped cold by Union cavalrymen led by Brig. General George Armstrong Custer. His attempt to raid the Union rear thwarted, Stuart withdrew and retired toward Gettysburg….

Lee realized his army could no longer remain in Pennsylvania. Returning to his headquarters, he dictated orders for the army to withdraw, retreat to the Potomac River, and return to Virginia. "Too bad, too bad," a staff officer heard the general say in his discouragement. "Oh, too bad." Lee realized his army could no longer remain in Pennsylvania. Returning to his headquarters, he dictated orders for the army to withdraw, retreat to the Potomac River, and return to Virginia. "Too bad, too bad," a staff officer heard the general say in his discouragement. "Oh, too bad." Storm clouds blackened the early evening sky. A heavy rain soon fell, symbolically washing the land of the carnage wrought by three days of bloody battle. Storm clouds blackened the early evening sky. A heavy rain soon fell, symbolically washing the land of the carnage wrought by three days of bloody battle.

The Dreadful Aftermath The effects of the battle were felt in Pennsylvania for many months after the armies had left. The effects of the battle were felt in Pennsylvania for many months after the armies had left. Approximately 5,500 soldiers from both armies were killed in the battle, with 22,000 wounded soldiers packed into churches, barns, and private homes throughout Adams County. Approximately 5,500 soldiers from both armies were killed in the battle, with 22,000 wounded soldiers packed into churches, barns, and private homes throughout Adams County. Some of the wounded had no shelter except for the shade of trees. Some of the wounded had no shelter except for the shade of trees.

Overtaxed Union surgeons who had treated Union wounded continuously during the battle were now left with thousands of wounded Confederates to care for. Overtaxed Union surgeons who had treated Union wounded continuously during the battle were now left with thousands of wounded Confederates to care for. Even with the help of Gettysburg citizens and Confederate surgeons who remained, the situation appeared to be near calamity. Even with the help of Gettysburg citizens and Confederate surgeons who remained, the situation appeared to be near calamity.

The Dreadful Aftermath Despite the best efforts of the army and charitable organizations, an additional 4,000 would succumb to their injuries either in Gettysburg or in the hospitals where they had been sent. Despite the best efforts of the army and charitable organizations, an additional 4,000 would succumb to their injuries either in Gettysburg or in the hospitals where they had been sent. Approximately 10,000 soldiers were captured during the fighting and both armies were burdened with their captives until they could be sent to prison camps. Approximately 10,000 soldiers were captured during the fighting and both armies were burdened with their captives until they could be sent to prison camps.

A CHANGED ARMY The Confederate army that staggered weakly back from the Battle of Gettysburg was physically, spiritually, and mentally exhausted. General Lee would never again be able to attempt, or even think about another offensive strategy that called for such daring and drastic measures. The Confederate army that staggered weakly back from the Battle of Gettysburg was physically, spiritually, and mentally exhausted. General Lee would never again be able to attempt, or even think about another offensive strategy that called for such daring and drastic measures. General Meade of the Union army, though criticized for not immediately pursuing Lee’s army after having retreated, had carried the day in the battle that is now known to us as the turning point of the Civil War. General Meade of the Union army, though criticized for not immediately pursuing Lee’s army after having retreated, had carried the day in the battle that is now known to us as the turning point of the Civil War.

Swollen by the hot July sun, bodies of Federal infantrymen litter a trampled meadow near the Peach Orchard. Most of these men probably belonged to General Daniel Sickles’ Union corps who defended the area against the massive Confederate assault on July 2. Rebel soldiers who advanced across the field stripped many of the bodies of their shoes and other needed accoutrements. Photographer Alexander Gardner aptly captioned this image "A Harvest of Death".

The body of a young Confederate infantryman lies in a stone enclosure in Devil’s Den, the boulder strewn hillside from which Confederate sharpshooters had harassed the Federal troops holding Little Round Top. Evidence suggests that the soldier was killed perhaps 40 yards away during the fighting on the afternoon of July 1 and was moved and arranged by the photographer to enhance the image’s dramatic effect.

The National Cemetery With the wounded being cared for, attention turned to the sad condition of battlefield burials. With the wounded being cared for, attention turned to the sad condition of battlefield burials. Patriotic citizens of Adams County undertook efforts to establish a proper burial place for the Union dead and with funds provided by the Pennsylvania legislature, the process of reburials began that fall. Patriotic citizens of Adams County undertook efforts to establish a proper burial place for the Union dead and with funds provided by the Pennsylvania legislature, the process of reburials began that fall. The Soldiers National Cemetery was dedicated on November 19, 1863, and was the occasion of President Lincoln's highly regarded Gettysburg Address, when the president not only dedicated a cemetery but gave the north a reason to continue the struggle to reunite the nation, the focus of the American Civil War…. The Soldiers National Cemetery was dedicated on November 19, 1863, and was the occasion of President Lincoln's highly regarded Gettysburg Address, when the president not only dedicated a cemetery but gave the north a reason to continue the struggle to reunite the nation, the focus of the American Civil War….

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