Gettysburg July 1-3, 1863 “The greatest battle in Civil War history began as a clash over shoes…..” Read from Ken Burns book pgs178-180

After Antietam … Antietam forced Lee’s Rebel troops south, but not permanently. Lee had a victory at Chancellorsville, where Stonewall Jackson was shot by one of his own men (wounds led to pneumonia). 130,000 Yankee troops fought 60,000 Rebel troops; the Rebels were victorious despite being outnumbered. The Confederates were confident; they seemed to be winning the war! Lee decided to head north to Pennsylvania. Grant official General of all of NORTH

Why did Lee invade the North? He needed food and supplies for his army (especially shoes!). His men were malnourished and didn’t have adequate clothing. He hoped to force a peace settlement by invading the North Pause for notes!

Welcome to Pennsylvania! In 1863, Gettysburg had 2400 residents and was twelve blocks long. The locals were Northerners and cheered for the Union. They had a sign in Gettysburg that said that anyone who shot a gun would get fined five dollars. If only they could have collected …

Day One: July 1, 1863 Both armies had many soldiers still marching towards Gettysburg; the soldiers already in place fought anyway. The Rebels seem to have won; they have pushed the Union forces through town to Cemetery Hill. Puase to take notes

In the evening after day one… The North was camped on a ridge on high ground (Cemetery Ridge); it would be a good place to fight for day two. Though they had fewer troops, the Northern generals felt positive. Any attack by the Confederates would have to come uphill…. The South was also camped on high ground-- Seminary Ridge…a mile separated the Union and Confederate troops. Going into day two, the Confederate army would be at a disadvantage…they had no eyes because Jeb Stewart, a cavalry genius, had been blocked by the Union army. They didn’t know the land-- it would be easier for the Union to formulate a better plan! (land plan….that’s assonance!!)

Day Two: July 2, 1863 A ridiculously hot day. No, seriously, it was so very HOT. The fighting on Day Two was all about holding hill positions. The number of dead on the second day made both sides losers though they fought valiantly (and both thought themselves winners at day’s end) Pause to take notes

Day Two Battle Map:

Day One: Troops Arrive—Rebs pushed Yankees through town to cemetery hill… Red=Rebels Blue=Union

Day Three: July 3, 1863 Also about taking and keeping hill positions… General Lee has fewer men than General Meade (but he had won at Chancellorsville against an army half his size, so he feels okay about being outnumbered). The Confederates begin by blasting the Union with an unprecedented amount of cannon fire-- this lasted for over two hours! The idea: soften up the Union lines, then march across the valley and take the hill… Confederate Major General George E. Pickett arrived in Gettysburg with fresh troops. They are eager to fight. Pause to take notes

Pickett’s Charge (or, Lee’s Mistake) Lee plans a great charge across the ¾ of a mile to the Union hilltop (cemetery ridge). General Longstreet, Lee’s second in command, doesn’t like the idea because he believes in defensive fighting. Nonetheless, the heroic Confederate Army prepares to march on Cemetery Ridge. Approx. 13-15,000 soldiers step forward in a moving rectangle a mile and a half wide and deep. Meanwhile, about halfway through the Confederate bombardment, the Union stops firing back and waits for the Confederates to advance. Lee plans a great charge but sets himself and his troops up for failure, despite his second in command warning him, the Union massacres them

Tragedy for the South When the Confederates get close to the Union army on Cemetery Hill, they are massacred by the Union army. General Lee blames no one but himself, and offers his resignation to President Davis. His resignation is not accepted. 23,000 Northern soldiers died at Gettysburg (20%); 28,000 Southern soldiers died at Gettysburg(35%). Take notes

Lincoln’s General Conundrum … Where would Lincoln find a general that would be a match for Lee? The day after Pickett’s Charge, General Grant beat the Confederacy at the Battle of Vicksburg This gave the North total control of the Mississippi river and cut the Confederacy in half “Grant is my man,” declared President Lincoln End fill in the blank Then read Play Burns Day 3 Dispatch/Letters Incident at Gettysburg Then gettysburg address

Click here for facts: http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/gettysburg.html?tab=facts And more cool facts: http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/gettysburg/assets/ten-facts-about/ten-facts-about-gettysburg.html