In what may be the most famous battle in US history, Federal General George Meade met Confederate General Robert E Lee at a small Pennsylvania town called Gettysburg, and changed the course of the Civil War. Until this point, Lee had won every major battle, and he hoped that by invading the North and threatening Washington DC, he could convince Lincoln that the war was unwinnable, and a political solution would be reached to grant independence to the Confederacy. Instead, Lee was soundly beaten at Gettysburg, and the Union armies would have the strategic advantage for the rest of the war.
Here is a historical overview and photo tour of the Gettysburg battlefield.
McPherson Ridge. As both armies approached the town of Gettysburg, neither knew where the other one was. The battle began on the morning of July 1, 1863, when two patrols accidentally bumped into each other just north of town, and this is where the initial fighting began.
Oak Ridge. As reinforcements began to stream into the area, the Union Army held this position on Oak Ridge for much of the day, but was eventually forced to retreat back through the town of Gettysburg.
The Seminary. By the morning of July 2, 1863, the two armies had established positions along two parallel ridges just south of Gettysburg. The Confederates are along Seminary Ridge, centered around this Lutheran Seminary. The Union troops are along Cemetery Ridge.
View of the Union positions at Cemetery Ridge from the Confederate lines, showing Culp's Hill.
View from the Confederate lines towards Round Top and Little Round Top hills.
Little Round Top. On July 2, one of the Confederate Generals noticed that the Union forces had inadvertently left this hill undefended and moved towards it, hoping to turn the flank of the Union line and roll along behind the Federal troops. A Union commander saw the danger and moved his troops onto the hill, stopping the Confederate attack.
The Peach Orchard. Throughout the day on July 2, 1863, the Confederates made repeated attacks on the Union positions on Cemetery Ridge at Culp's Hill and the Little Round Top, including several thrusts through this peach farm.
The Wheat Field. The Confederates made several attempts to move through this field towards Little Round Top. Along with the Peach Orchard, the Wheat Field was the scene of some of the heaviest fighting in the battle.
View from Little Round Top towards the Confederate lines. The large rock outcropping to the left is the Devil's Den, where Union sharpshooters were stationed.
The Devil's Den. By the evening of July 2, the Confederates had been driven from their positions near Culp's Hill, the Wheat Field, the Peach Orchard, and Devil's Den.
On the morning of July 3, 1863, the confederates launched a massive cannon barrage against the Union lines.
Pickett's Charge. On the afternoon of July 3, 12,000 men under Maj Gen George E Pickett attacked across these fields, directly into the center of the Union lines. Pickett's division was cut to pieces by cannon fire.
Federal gun positions on Cemetery Ridge.
View of Pickett's Charge from the Union lines. The fence in the photo presented a lethal obstacle to the advancing Confederates.
Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was given here during the dedication of the cemetery four months after the battle.