The Battle of Gettysburg was the largest battle in the American Civil War. 3 days of fighting in the Pennsylvania fields were the bloodiest in America’s history. Gettysburg turned the tide of the American Civil War in the North’s favor. Before Gettysburg the North was regularly beaten on the battlefields, at least tacticly. The battle of Antietam in the town of Sharpsburg was considered a Northern victory, but from most of books I’ve read, it was more of a draw with a political advantage going to the North. The Union troops had fought very hard but just did not make any ground until Gettysburg.
The Gettysburg campaign started in June of 1863 and lasted until August. The battle itself was 3 days, from July 1-3, ending one day before the 4th of July. General Meade was in charge of Union forces and General Lee was in charge of Confederate forces. Lee invaded the North in hopes of drawing Union armies into their own territory and wedging their Army of Northern Virginia (ANV) between Washington and Union forces. This would force Lincoln and politicians to make Meade charge no matter what position they were in. The plan did not work, in large part because Lee’s cavalry commander, Gen Jeb Stuart, had separated himself from Lee, which made Lee blind. Meade was able to catch up to Lee, and both armies met at Gettysburg. The next three days made history.
Some stats of the battle of Gettysburg.
- Total forces engaged 158,343
- Union soldiers engaged 83,289
- Confederate soldiers engaged 75,054
- Estimated total soldier casualties 51,000
- Estimated Union soldier casualties 23,000
- Estimated Confederate soldier casualties 28,000
The height of the battle was the last day as 12,500 men, lead by Gen Pickett, charged over an open field into the center of the Union line at Cemetary Ridge. The charge failed and the battle was over. Lee’s long retreat began. Months later in November Pesident Lincoln came and gave the famous Gettysburg address. If you want to learn about the battle watch the movie “Gettysburg”. It’s a really great movie and I learned a lot from it. Have to run. See you later.
One of the other benefits of watching Gettysburg is getting to listen to one of the greatest soundtracks in cinematic history.
I tell you, after reading about the battle of Gettysburg for years and even seeing the movie, the place where it all came together and really made sense was at the actually battlefield.
There was something about actually seeing the battlefield in real life that made all the difference in the world. I could actually see why Little Round Top mattered, and could see how a whole army could hide behind a ridge that almost looks flat on a map. Even in real life you think you are seeing everything there is to see until you go over there and realize there is a huge valley your enemy can pass through and flank you.
I agree 100% Luke. I love the soundtrack, very powerful! The layout of the battlefield definitely makes more sense when you are really there. I also admit I learned a lot about the battlefield by playing Gettysburg video games too. But like you say, it really pops when you see the hills.
I agree too about the importance of protecting your flank. I remember standing on Little Round Top and thinking, wow, this really isnt a lot of land considering the whole army could be wiped out if it fell. At least thats what I thought. I read a lot of conflicting things about the tactics, like attacking the center was actually a good idea and Longstreet was moving too slowly and not commiting enough because he hated the idea. Also the idea that if Jackson was alive, he would have taken the cemetery on the first day. Really interesting ideas, but a lot of that is probably just Monday morning quarterbacking. Thanks for stopping by Luke!