Gettysburg July 1-3, 1863

Background Lee had the upper-hand by winning at Chancellorsville The two armies had different objectives and met by chance in Gettysburg Background

Confederate Strategy Capture Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Invade the North for the second time Weaken major cities in the North Confederate Strategy

Union Strategy Protect Washington DC and Baltimore General Hooker resigned as commander of the Army of the Potomac General Meade took over Union Strategy

Confederate General Robert E. Lee Grew up poor Saw the military as a way out of poverty Lee’s middle name was Edward His house became Arlington National Cemetery His nickname was “Granny Lee” His horse, Traveller, was famous President Ford granted Lee citizenship in 1975 Confederate General

Union General George G. Meade Born in Spain Father was a US naval officer Graduated from West Point Resigned from the army in 1836 Married Margaretta Sergeant Had seven children Took over after General Hooker resigned Badly wounded at the Battle of Glendale Claim to fame is Battle of Gettysburg Union General

July 1, 1863 Union cavalry slowed the Confederate advance However, Confederate reinforcements shifted Union momentum 30,000 Confederates defeated 20,000 Union Soldiers Union fell back through Gettysburg to Cemetery and Culp’s Hills July 1, 1863

Union defended the hills and ridges south of Gettysburg with 90,000 soldiers Confederates wrapped around their lines with 70,000 men General Lee launched a heavy assault on the Union left flank Fighting raged on at Devil’s Den, Little Round Top, the Wheatfield, the Peach Orchard and Cemetery Ridge Full-scale assaults were fought on Culp’s Hill July 2, 1863

July 3, 1863 Fighting resumed on Culp’s Hill Calvary battles were fought east and south Dramatic infantry assault by 12,000 Confederates against the center of the Union line This led to… July 3, 1863

Pickett’s Charge! Charge was led by Major General George Pickett Goal was to weaken the Union by breaking their lines Confederates charged into an open field No place to hide 12,000 Confederates attacked Many were killed initially Men kept charging, running the last ¼ mile In 50 minutes of combat, 10,000 Confederates were killed Pickett’s Charge!

Battle ended on July 3 because there was no fighting the next day Lee lost 38% of his army Vicksburg was another Union victory that happened around the same time Union Won Result

Battle Facts Total Soldiers Engaged: 165,620 Total Casualties: 51,112 Union: 93,921 Confederate: 71,699 Total Casualties: 51,112 Union: 23,049 Killed: 3,155 Wounded: 14,529 Missing: 5,365 Confederate: 28,063 Killed: 3,903 Wounded: 18,735 Missing: 5,425 Battle Facts

Of the 120 generals at Gettysburg, 9 were killed or mortally wounded Pickett’s Charge was large, but not the largest of the war Costliest battle of the war General Custer and his Michigan regiment fought bravely 63 Medals of Honor were awarded to Union Soldiers Led to the Gettysburg Address http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/gettysburg/maps/gettysburg-animated-map Fun Facts