After defeating the Union army at the Battle of
Chancellorsville, in the May of 1863, Confederate General Robert E. Lee led his
army into another invasion of the North. He planned to gather fresh supplies in
PA for his high spirited troops. He hopped to also scare the North with another
invasion, and also to convince them to stop fighting. Once president Abraham
Lincoln learned of Lee's plan, he commanded the Potomac army, under the command
of Mag. General Joseph Hooker, to go after Lee's army. Only days before the
battle, Hooker was replaced by Mag. General George Gordon Meade. After learning
Mead's army, Lee gathered his troops around the town of Gettysburg. This started
the 3 day battle of Gettysburg.
Chancellorsville, in the May of 1863, Confederate General Robert E. Lee led his
army into another invasion of the North. He planned to gather fresh supplies in
PA for his high spirited troops. He hopped to also scare the North with another
invasion, and also to convince them to stop fighting. Once president Abraham
Lincoln learned of Lee's plan, he commanded the Potomac army, under the command
of Mag. General Joseph Hooker, to go after Lee's army. Only days before the
battle, Hooker was replaced by Mag. General George Gordon Meade. After learning
Mead's army, Lee gathered his troops around the town of Gettysburg. This started
the 3 day battle of Gettysburg.
On July 1, 1863, the battle began northwest of Gettysburg.
Brig. General John Buford commanded his Union cavalry to slow down Confederate
advances, waiting for Union backup. Confederate reinforcements under A.P. Hill
and Richard Ewell approached the fighting, and 30,000 Confederates defeated
20,000 Union soldiers. The defeated Union Soldiers retreated through Gettysburg,
into Culp's and Cemetery Hill, south of the town.
Brig. General John Buford commanded his Union cavalry to slow down Confederate
advances, waiting for Union backup. Confederate reinforcements under A.P. Hill
and Richard Ewell approached the fighting, and 30,000 Confederates defeated
20,000 Union soldiers. The defeated Union Soldiers retreated through Gettysburg,
into Culp's and Cemetery Hill, south of the town.
During the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg,
around 90,000 Union soldiers protected a range of hills, just south of
Gettysburg. Over 70,000 Confederates strangled the positions of the 90,00 Union
troop, and fighting took place at the top of Devil's Den, Little Round Top, The
Peach Orchard, Cemetery Ridge, and The Wheat Field. Robert E. Lee attacked these
3 positions, hurting the Union's left flank. Lee then attacked East Cemetery
Hill and Culp's Hill, also damaging the Union's right flank. The Union army
survived the fighting, and kept a strong hold on their defensive
positions.
around 90,000 Union soldiers protected a range of hills, just south of
Gettysburg. Over 70,000 Confederates strangled the positions of the 90,00 Union
troop, and fighting took place at the top of Devil's Den, Little Round Top, The
Peach Orchard, Cemetery Ridge, and The Wheat Field. Robert E. Lee attacked these
3 positions, hurting the Union's left flank. Lee then attacked East Cemetery
Hill and Culp's Hill, also damaging the Union's right flank. The Union army
survived the fighting, and kept a strong hold on their defensive
positions.
The fighting continued on July 3, 1863, and was
about to end. There were some minor fights, but the summary of that day was
Pickett's Charge. As a last fatal attempt, General Robert E. Lee launched a
charge of over 10,000 troops towards the center of the Union army, who were
occupied at Cemetery Ridge. The Union army easily massacred the charging
Confederates with just rifle fire. At the end of the 3rd day, over 50,000
soldiers form both sides were killed, wounded, lost, or taken prisoner.
about to end. There were some minor fights, but the summary of that day was
Pickett's Charge. As a last fatal attempt, General Robert E. Lee launched a
charge of over 10,000 troops towards the center of the Union army, who were
occupied at Cemetery Ridge. The Union army easily massacred the charging
Confederates with just rifle fire. At the end of the 3rd day, over 50,000
soldiers form both sides were killed, wounded, lost, or taken prisoner.
The Battle of Gettysburg protected the North from further
Confederate invasion. If the battle was lost, Robert E. Lee's army would of kept
heading North until defeated. The battle also greatly raised Northern spirits,
more than an battle before.
Confederate invasion. If the battle was lost, Robert E. Lee's army would of kept
heading North until defeated. The battle also greatly raised Northern spirits,
more than an battle before.
Fun Facts:
Many people believe that this battle was caused due to the fact that the
Confederate's were looking for shoes, but the town of Gettysburg had no shoe
factories in it.
Over 60 Medals of Honor were given to Union soldiers that fought in
the battle.
Only 9 of the 120 generals that were in Gettysburg died, or were extremely
wounded.
Many people believe that this battle was caused due to the fact that the
Confederate's were looking for shoes, but the town of Gettysburg had no shoe
factories in it.
Over 60 Medals of Honor were given to Union soldiers that fought in
the battle.
Only 9 of the 120 generals that were in Gettysburg died, or were extremely
wounded.