The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, is considered the most important engagement of the American Civil War. After a great victory over Union forces at Chancellorsville, General Robert E. Lee marched his Army of Northern Virginia into Pennsylvania in late June 1863.
On July 1, the advancing Confederates clashed with the Union’s Army of the Potomac, commanded by General George G. Meade, at the crossroads town of Gettysburg. The next day saw even heavier fighting, as the Confederates attacked the Federals on both left and right.
On July 3, Lee ordered an attack by fewer than 15,000 troops on the enemy’s center at Cemetery Ridge. The assault, known as “Pickett’s Charge,” managed to pierce the Union lines but eventually failed, at the cost of thousands of rebel casualties, and Lee was forced to withdraw his battered army toward Virginia on July 4. While the battle was only three days, 50,000 men lost their lives on both sides. Gettysburg is the bloodiest battle ever fought on American soil.
Of course Lincoln is honored here. Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address during the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery, four and a half months after the Union armies defeated those of the Confederacy at the Battle of Gettysburg.
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Again many great photos. Thanks I enjoyed as always.