Tuesday, October 1, 2013

The Battle of Gettysburg

The Battle of Gettysburg
By: Alec Winsor 

          The battle of Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle of the entire Civil War and was by far, the costliest. It took place in Adams County, Pennsylvania from between July 1st and 3rd in the year 1863. There was a total of 165,620 soldiers engaged in this battle, 93,921 of the Union and 71,699 of the Confederate forces, and an estimated total of 51,112 casualties. In the end, Union Major General George G. Meade brought his army to victory over Confederate General Robert E. Lee on the 3rd day, July 3rd, 1863.

          According to common belief, the Battle of Gettysburg was fought over a shoe supply, but that is not true. The battle really took place at Gettysburg because General Lee wanted to take the fighting away from Virginia, and and it was the perfect place due to its road system. He also wanted to threaten northern cities by winning a battle on their own soil. On this first day, the 30,000 Confederates ultimately defeated the 20,000 Union solders, causing them to fall back to Cemetery and Culp's Hill. On the second day, The Union defended a range of hills near Gettysburg and held strong all day through attempted Confederate assaults. On the third and final day, July 3rd, 1863, the fighting kept raging on Culp's when 12,000 Confederates charged the Union's center line (Pickett's Charge), but were repelled and forced into a full retreat. A total of 51,000 soldiers from both sides were killed, wounded or missing in action by the end of the battle. Four months later, President Lincoln used the dedication ceremony for the Gettysburg's Soldiers National Cemetery to honor the Union soldiers who fought, and to explain the intent of the war in the Gettysburg Address. 
This map shows movement of troops during different times.
          
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