The Battle of Gettysburg

Many historians believe the Battle of Gettysburg was a major turning point in the Civil War.  In this battle 20,000 Union and 18,000 Confederate soldiers died. This battle was fought from July 1, to July3.

General George G. Meade led the Union army of 90,000 men.  General Robert E. Lee led the Confederate army of 75,000 men.  After the Battle of Chancellorsville, Lee decided to divide his army into three corps.  These three corps were commanded by three lieutenant generals: James Longstreet, Richard Stoddert, and Ambrose Powell Hill

On July 1, 1863 the two armies met in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania accidentally.  Lee wanted to fight if he could get the North in a vulnerable position.  General James Longstreet disagreed with these plans, but he was reassured when Lee told him that he’d let the North attack first.  The battle began when Hill’s division collided with a federal cavalry division commanded by Major General John Buford.  The fighting went on endlessly until Ewell’s corps arrived.  With their help, the Confederates pushed the Union from forward positions to Culp’s Hill and Cemetary Ridge southeast of Gettysburg.  On that day 4,000 men were taken prisoner by the South, and Federal General John Reynolds was killed.  The Federals captured Confederate General Archer who was the first Confederate officer captured after Lee took over.

The next day General Meade formed his forces into a giant horseshoe around Culp’s Hill, Cemetary Ridge, Little Round Top, and Round Top.  The Confederates formed a long and thin line.  They attacked the Federals, but they were unable to make the North retreat. On the final day of the battle, Lee decided to attack the North, despite what other generals thought.  Three Confederate divisions along with General George G. Pickett’s troops charged onto Cemetary Ridge against Northern artillery and musket fire.  This famous charge is known as Pickett’s Charge.  The Federals fell back after losing three-fourths of their force.

No one really won this battle, but it’s believed to be a major turning point in the Civil War because after this battle all of the fighting was done in the South.  The Union went on to win the Civil War, forcing the southern states to stay with the Union.  Their victory brought equal rights to everyone.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Stephen H. Light, "General Lee's Old War-horse and th Battle of Gettysburg",1987, <http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/ gettysburg/articles/comment16.html>, (October 30, 2000)

Bruce Catton,Battle of Gettysburg, Computer Software, Microsoft Encyclopedia, 1998

"The World Book Encyclopedia," G, Field Enterprises Educational Corporation, 1973

Connie Meyer 8th Grade 2000-2001