The Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the American Civil War. It was fought over three days—July 1–3, 1863—in Pennsylvania. It was the bloodiest battle of the war and ended in a Union victory.

In May 1863 General Robert E. Lee led his Confederate forces to a victory near Chancellorsville, Virginia. He then attempted to invade the North a second time. (The first attempt ended in a Confederate loss at the Battle of Antietam.) Confederate forces entered Pennsylvania, where they met Union troops, under the command of General George G. Meade, at Gettysburg.

The first day of the battle saw considerable fighting. Confederate troops drove the Union army through the town to Cemetery Hill. By nightfall, the Confederates had captured about 5,000 prisoners. The damage to Union forces was significant. However, the Union army gathered its strength on the hill and southward along Cemetery Ridge.

On July 2 Confederate forces attacked the Union troops at different positions, but the Confederates gained little ground. There were many attacks and counterattacks in an attempt to gain control of such locations as Little Round Top and Culp’s Hill. The Union forces continued to build their strength along Cemetery Ridge.

On the third day Lee was determined to attack. In what became known as “Pickett’s Charge,” about 15,000 Confederate troops, led by General George Pickett, attacked Cemetery Ridge. The Union troops successfully held off the attack. The Confederates retreated, leaving hundreds of prisoners. Lee withdrew his troops and fled south.

The Battle of Gettysburg resulted in many casualties: about 23,000 for the North and about 28,000 for the South. The site is now preserved as Gettysburg National Military Park. In November 1863, at the dedication of a national cemetery at the battle site, President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. It is one of the most famous speeches in American history.

Translate this page

