In the summer of 1863, General Robert E. Lee was in command of the Northern Virginia Army. A brilliant strategist, Lee determined that if he invaded the north and succeeded in battle he would achieve several objectives. He would give war torn Virginia a chance to recover by moving the front line northward and he would diminish the Northern resolve, putting pressure on Lincoln to seek a peaceful settlement. Lee gathered his army, 75,000 strong, and began to march toward central Pennsylvania, with the hopes of reaching Harrisburg.
While moving from Northern Virginia to Pennsylvania, Lee learned that Union General George G. Meade, was pursuing him with his army numbering 95,000, from Maryland. Lee sent a number of brigades to check on Meade’s location and to secure supplies for the remainder of the army. The two armies met by chance northwest of the town of Gettysburg. Fighting began almost immediately. Both armies sent for reinforcements. Lee’s army came from the north and west and Meade’s army came from the south and southeast. A battle that was never planned continued for three days.
On July 1, 1863, the Confederate troops fought fiercely, driving Union troops through the streets of Gettysburg to a point south of the city. At the end of the first days battle both sides had suffered heavy losses but the Confederate army had the upper hand.
During the second day of battle, the Confederate Army continued to dominate the Union Army. Confederate troops forced the Union army back in the areas of Devil’s Den, Valley of Death, Wheatfield and Peach Orchard. However the Confederates were unsuccessful in taking Culp’s Hill and Little Round Top.
July 3, 1863, General Lee planned an attack that later became known as Pickett’s charge. After two days dominating the Union, he was overconfident. 12,000 Confederate soldiers charged in parade dress formation from Seminary Ridge believing that the cannon fire that preceded them had cleared the way to take the area. When the smoke from the cannons cleared they found that the cannon fire had missed its mark. Union soldier were able to fire artillery weapons and kill all but a few men. Devastated the Confederate Army retreated back to Virginia. Ironically, fighting ceased for the United States independence day.
More than 50,000 men were lost in the Battle of Gettysburg. Of the 75,000 that fought for the Confederacy 18,735 were wounded, 3,903 were killed, and 5,425 were declared missing. Of the Union soldiers involved in the battle, 14,329 were wounded, 3,155 were killed, and 5,365 were missing.
The Battle of Gettysburg is often considered the beginning of the end of the War Between the States. Unfortunately, the war continued for another two years.