Confederates  Gen. Lee planned to collect supplies in abundant Pennsylvania farmland.  Lee also planned to take away fighting from Virginia.  He had wanted to threaten the Northern cities and weaken the North’s appetite for war.

Confederates Continued…  Gen. Lee had wanted to win a major war on the Northern soil and strengthen the Peace Movement up North.  When Lee learned that Gen. Meade was in PA., he concentrated his army around Gettysburg.  Lee had ordered Confederate Gen. R.S. Ewell to seize the high ground from the battle weary Federals “If it was possible.”

Confederates Continued…  Ewell hesitated to attack the Union troops, which gave them a chance to dig along Cemetery Ridge.  Lee decided to attack the Unions Army’s defensive position at the southern end of the Cemetery, where it was least expected.  He thought the Union was almost beaten and decided to gamble to win the Battle of Gettysburg, so he attacked the next day.  (Left-Lee Right-Ewell)

Unions  Gen. Meade arrived at Cemetery Ridge he thought it was an ideal place to battle.  He anticipated around 100,000 reinforcements to strengthen his defensive position.  He decided on day 2 that his army would remain in place and wait for Lee and the Confederates to attack.

Unions (Continued)  As the battle continued reinforcements and regrouped infantry units swarmed in and open fired on the Rebel ranks.  On July 1, the Union Army had clashed with some Confederates who were seizing shoes that were needed.  Commander recognizing the importance of holding Gettysburg because a dozen roads converged there.

Unions (Continued)  Some other Union members briefly stopped some Rebels up north of town.  They had established a defensive position resembling a fish hook.  Gen. Lee decided top attack both flanks the next day.

Unions (Continued)  His right flank, Union troops mistakenly shifted out of position leaving Little Top undefeated.  After a long day of fighting, they barely held their position.  The misplaced bluecoats were pushed back through the Peach Orchard, the Wheat Field, and Devil’s Den.

Where Was The Battle Fought?  The battle was fought in a variety of places, including the following: Devil’s Den Little Round Top The Wheat Field Peach Orchard East Cemetery Hill Pickett’s Charge Culp’s Hill

What State? Union Or Confederate Area?  The battle was fought in many different places surrounding the city of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was all on Union land.

Nearby Cities, Rivers, And Valleys  Rappahannock River  Bonneauville, PA  Orrtanna, PA  Opossum Creek

Terrain  In the South there were ridges and hills making it difficult to fight  Cemetery Hill was high and tall, and it was clear and easy to fight  Culp’s Hill was 100 feet higher in height, and it was covered in woods and large boulders, and this provided great cover  There was also large, vast, fields used for battles that didn’t provide advantages or disadvantages for the battle  Many treeless plains and large boulders

Battle Statistics  There was 51,000 total deaths.  23,000 Union deaths.  28,000 Confederate deaths.  5,000 horses were killed.

Events of the Battle  Confederate General Robert E. Lee Concentrated his army around Gettysburg PA.  Lee Struck first on the union line.  Severe fighting started at Devils Den, Little Round Top, The Wheatfield, Peach Orchard and Culp's Hill.

Events of the Battle (continued)  Southerners gained ground but, failed to dislodge the Union host.  Union regained lost ground  Lee attacked the Union on Cemetery Ridge  The Union lost in Pickett's Charge

Outcome of the battle  This Battle didn't win the War but it was the turning point.  This battle led the Union to the win.  The battle created strong damage on both sides.  The confederates couldn’t recover from the great beating.

A Personal Narrative  The sight of Jacksons Veterans threatened to close in on them and conflict struck a chill in the hearts of the men they had recently defeated. Now they had to face the long brown line hardly distinguishable from the corn where they trampled. Like the sickles of a great line of reapers, the sharp bayonets came nearer through the ruddy gold of the ripening wheat. - Captain Cecil Battine