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The town of Gettysburg in the southwestern corner of Pennsylvania has multiple claims to fame. Not only was it in Gettysburg that President Lincoln gave his famous "Gettysburg Address", but it was also the location of one of the bloodiest and most important battles of the Civil War.
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Sign up for freeWho was in overall command of the Union forces at the Battle of Gettysburg?
Who was in overall command of the Confederate forces at the Battle of Gettysburg?
How many total casualties were suffered at the Battle of Gettysburg?
The Gettysburg campaign was the last time during the American Civil War that _________.
When did the Battle of Gettysburg take place?
True or False: Cavalry forces played a major role in the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Which costly failed attack on July 3 prompted Lee to give up the battle?
After the Union line broke north of Gettysburg, where did the Union army fall back to?
Which General led his Corps into the Peach Orchard, risking the Union's left flank?
Throughout the Battle of Gettysburg, Union troops on the far southern flank successfully defended which hill?
Which costly failed attack on July 3 prompted Lee to give up the battle?
After the Union line broke north of Gettysburg, where did the Union army fall back to?
Which General led his Corps into the Peach Orchard, risking the Union's left flank?
Throughout the Battle of Gettysburg, Union troops on the far southern flank successfully defended which hill?
Who was in overall command of the Union forces at the Battle of Gettysburg?
Who was in overall command of the Confederate forces at the Battle of Gettysburg?
How many total casualties were suffered at the Battle of Gettysburg?
The Gettysburg campaign was the last time during the American Civil War that _________.
When did the Battle of Gettysburg take place?
True or False: Cavalry forces played a major role in the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg.
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Send FeedbackThe Battle of Gettysburg, fought outside that town in Pennsylvania from July 1-3, 1863, is considered one of the turning points of the American Civil War. It was the last battle of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's second and final invasion of the North during the American Civil War. Keep reading for a map, a summary, and more.
Fig. 1 - Battle of Gettysburg by Thure de Thulstrup.
In the summer of 1863, Confederate General Robert E. Lee took his Army of Northern Virginia northward to again invade the northern territory in the hopes of winning a major victory against a Union army in their own land. Strategically, Lee believed that such a victory might bring the north to negotiate peace with the Confederacy that would secure their independence from the United States.
General Lee's army consisted of around 75,000 men, which he moved quickly through Maryland and into southern Pennsylvania. He was opposed by the Union Army of the Potomac, which consisted of around 95,000 men. The Union army pursued the Confederate army into Pennsylvania, where Lee chose to assemble his forces for battle around a crossroads just north of the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Army of Northern Virginia
a Confederate force led by Robert E. Lee; fought in many major battles in the East
Union Army of the Potomac
led by General Meade; the main Union force in the East
Below are some important facts, maps, and information about the Battle of Gettysburg.
| Date | Event |
| July 1- The Union Retreat South of Gettysburg |
|
| July 2nd- Cemetary Hill |
|
Fig. 2 - Map of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863.
Fig. 3 - Map of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863.
At sunset, General Ewell launched his attack against the Union's right flank, focusing first on Cemetery Hill. Meade immediately recognized the importance of holding the hill and rushed reinforcements in to repel the Confederate attacks and recapture the hill before the Confederate troops could further press their advantage. His quick action was a success, and the Union pushed the attackers off of Cemetery Hill.
| Date | Events |
| July 3- Pickett's Charge |
|
Fig. 4 - Map of the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863.
Pickett's Charge
the failed strategy of Confederate General Pickett on the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg; resulted in large casualties for the Confederate Army.
On August 8th, Robert E. Lee offered to resign because of the loss of the Battle of Gettysburg, but Confederate President Jefferson Davis rejected the offer.
The Battle of Gettysburg, across three days of fighting, proved to be the deadliest of the entire American Civil War, and for any battle in US military history. By the end of July 2, the combined casualties totaled over 37,000, and by the end of July 3, an estimated 46,000-51,000 soldiers from both sides had been killed, wounded, captured, or missing as a result of the battle.
The Battle of Gettysburg ended as the largest battle of the American Civil War in terms of total casualties suffered. Though Lee's Confederate army was not destroyed, the Union achieved a strategic victory by pushing Robert E. Lee and his troops back into Virginia. After Gettysburg, the Confederate military would never again attempt an invasion of the northern territory.
With a large number of dead, Gettysburg would see the site of the first national cemetery to be built on a battlefield, and over 3,000 were buried there. At a ceremony after the battle, President Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous 2-minute speech known as the Gettysburg Address, in which he stressed the importance of continuing the war through to its conclusion in honor of the dead.
It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." - President Abraham Lincoln1
Though President Lincoln was disappointed that the victory at Gettysburg had not eliminated Lee's army and so would not bring an immediate end to the war, Gettysburg was still a morale boost to the Union. Combined with the victory at the Siege of Vicksburg on July 4 in the Western Theater, it would be later considered to be a turning point in the American Civil War.
For the South, the reaction was mixed. Though Gettysburg did not bring the victory that the Confederacy had hoped for, it was believed that the damage inflicted on the Union army there would prevent the Union from attacking Virginia for a long time.
Did you know? The words of the Gettysburg Address are inscribed on the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
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Who won the Battle of Gettysburg?
The Union Army won the Battle of Gettysburg.
When was the Battle of Gettysburg?
The Battle of Gettysburg was fought between July 1 and 3, 1863.
Why was the Battle of Gettysburg important?
The Battle of Gettysburg is seen as one of the major turning points of war, tipping the war in favor of the Union.
Where was the Battle of Gettysburg?
The Battle of Gettysburg took place in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
How many people died in the Battle of Gettysburg?
It is estimated that there were 46,000-51,000 casualties between both the Union and Confederate Armies.
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