When people think about the Civil War; one of the big battles we think about is the Battle of Gettysburg. Many things led to the Civil War to happening like the bringing in of new states while also figuring if they were free or slave, chattel slavery, and and many other examples. Most could say that the battle was the final say between these subjects: battle of Slavery, or plain and simple The North V.s. The South. But the real question is, What happened from the beginning, middle, and the end of this historic 3 day battle that took a turn in our future generation today.
Even so with the first day; how the battle started and what happened. This battle all started on July 1, 1863, on this day General Robert E. Lee had his huge victory in the Battle of Chancellorsville; seeing his victory caused him to want another victory in the North in order to do this he must seize the enemy's war effort. With Lee's move upon Gettysburg he had gained information that he would be facing Major General George Gordon Meade, this caused him to concentrate his forces to Gettysburg. With the two forces North and South are battling west and north to of the town. The first fire was shot around 7:30 a.m. Union efforts in the west part of the town was on the defensive under the leadership of Brig. General John Buford. With the blocking position this slowed the enemy down long enough for the Union 1st and the 11th Corps arrived. Buford had to retreat his effort to the second element in the north led Maj. Gen. John Reynolds which later led to the death of Reynolds while he was leading forces through the McPherson's Woods. More Confederates came led by both General A.P. Hill and Richard Ewell has 30,000 southern vs. 20,000 northerners it was clear to who won the first day, which led the rest of the union to fall back to the south part of the town Cemetery Hill and Culp's hill.
Next the Second Battle; the battle still waging on had lead them to July 2, 1863. General Lee followed the Union's 90,000 forces that were defending the hook-like hills and ridges this led Lee to sending around 70,000 soldiers to attack the left flank of the Union's positions. This intense bloody fighting formed true anger upon Devils den , Little Round Top, the Wheatfield, the Peach Orchard, and Cemetery Ridge. Even though the southerners did capture the Devils Den and the Peach Orchard, the Union defended with all their forces on both Little Round Top and Cemetery Ridge to keep the North within the battle. Through these battles the Confederates had lose around more than half of its forces trying to capture some of the hills, but they did advance upon a good sum of land. The Union's effort defended the position until the end of the day, leaving the Confederate from pushing forward anymore. General Lee at this time would have sent back to President Davis explaining what was happening on the front line of the battles. For instance, he would tell him about the loss of men and how much they had advanced upon the enemy. Most important would be telling if the Generals were taken in as prisoners or died in combat.
Therefore leading to the third day of the battle, which was the finale to the whole Civil War. On July 3, 1863; General Lee thought that even though they didn't get to remove the Union's forces of the left flank it would be wise to stick to the same plan as the day before. So what Lee did was sent another attack to the south perimeter (Culp's Hill) of Gettysburg. In doing this thinking the Union's defensive position would be still weak from the battle that occurred the night before. The Confederate engaged for a seven long gruesome hour, but the Union still held their position stronger. See this a problem Lee had to rethink his plan, when thinking Lee considered that if all of the Union power was pushed to the left flank; of course they must of weakened the center of Gettysburg which is Cemetery Ridge open. Lee quickly sent for a little over 12,000 soldiers to the center, for the Union's Maj. General Meade had thought ahead and planned for Lee to take this course of action. Commanding these Confederate soldiers were Lt. Gen. James Longstreet, with support from six brigades from Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill's corps. This was the called Pickett Charge. The Battle started with a large fire fight with hundreds of guns, most would consider this the largest machine combat that happened through the war. The Confederate Army started their march toward the Unions position on the march up they were attacked by the Union's heavy artillery from the front and the flanks. Once they got to Emmitsburg Road found a fence in their way, Chris caused them to slow down. Union saw this as an advantage by suppressing heavy fire upon the Confederate soldiers getting over this fence. Finally the Confederate soldiers got passed this barrier they got on line with close combat with the enemy but faced more trouble. The Confederate fall came upon them because they had lost more than fifty percent of their. forces. Mostly at this end of the Battle of Gettysburg it was clear that Lee had to retreat back to Virginia. Few months after the battle Lincoln dedicated the battleground to the fallen Union soldiers.
Finally we see what these three days vigorous battling caused to both sides of the Armies. After Lee’s horrible lose, he knew it would be time to withdraw; gathering the forces from what remained. The North and The South lose a substantial amount soldiers , but seem to who lose the most it would have to be Lee’s forces. Before him leaving, he still had some Union soldiers in his captivity and so did Meade, the best thing for Lee to do was making a trade there prisoners for the Union’s prisoners. Lee on the 5th of July had completely left from Gettysburg, but was still in the north, awaiting for his higher command to give him instructions on what to do. Of course, not only was Lee thinking, but also Meade was wondering if he should pursue with a counterattack. With the letters going back and forth also with arguments about attacking and not attacking, but the end Lee finally left from the north back to Virginia.
As seen through all situations that lead this battle a lot of people could ask this: What did we gain? People can say it finally ended the chattel slavery in the south giving freedom to slaves, or other could say it ended the Confederacy enough to need the Civil War. Through all these opinions and findings, it show that through the fierce battling, corruption, and senseless killing between the North and the South. The Civil War brought the country back together; to live as one unit and not two different pieces.