Battle Of Gettysburg
The battle of Gettysburg was a three day battle. Gettysburg was the last major battle of the Civil War. General Lee wanted to get between the Union army and Washington DC to isolate them and put an end to the war. As they marched North all the roads converged on Gettysburg.
Day 1- In June 1863, Lee cut across northern Maryland into Pennsylvania. His forces gathered near a small town called Gettysburg.The Union soldiers were encamped closer to town, General Lee was unaware of this. He had been suffering from lack of enemy information for three days because his chief Stuart was not preforming his duties right. Stuart and his cavalry had gone off on their own raiding party, disobeying Lee's orders. Another confederate, raiding party went to Gettysburg for boots and other supplies. Lee's troop ran right into the Union General George G. Meade's cavalry there. This triggered the Battle of Gettysburg, the battle began on July 1st, 1863 when the forces began firing. General Lee ordered General Ewell to attack immediately. Ewell hesitated and gave federals time to establish a defense position. The confederates camped at Seminary Ridge, which ran parallel to the Union forces. Both camps called for their main forces to reinforce them and help prepare them for combat the next day.
Day 2- On July 2nd Lee ordered an attack on the left side of the Union line. He knew that he could win the battle if his troops captured Little Round Top from the Union forces. From this hill Lee's troops could easily fire down on the Union forces. The Confederate troops and Union forces fought viciously for control of Little Round Top. The fighting was more fierce on the south side. The 20th Maine led by Colonel Joshua Chamberlain battled the 15th Alabama led by colonial William Oates. Eventually the Union forced the confederates to pull back from Little Round Top. Then they attacked Cemetery Hill and Culp's hill. The fighting lasted until night time. the attack on cemetery hill was unsuccessful. the union forces still help a strong defensive position by the ends day.
Day 3- On the third day Longstreet again tried to convince Lee not to attack. But Lee thought that the Union forces were ready to break. so he planned to attack. General Meade left only about 5750 troops to defend the center. For over an hour, the confederates covered Cemetery Ridge with cannon fire. for awhile the union cannons fired back, then they backed off. since they backed off the confederates assumed that they had seriously damaged the Union , but in reality they did little damage. The task of charging the Union center fell to three divisions of confederate soldiers. General George Pickett commanded the largest unit. nearly 15000 men took part in Pickett's Charge. for one mile they marched slowly up toward cemetery ridge. They suffered severe losses, but eventually some of them almost reached their destination. General Meade decided not to follow Lee's army. This angered Lincoln. He felt that Meade had missed an opportunity to crush the confederates and possibly end the war.
Day 1- In June 1863, Lee cut across northern Maryland into Pennsylvania. His forces gathered near a small town called Gettysburg.The Union soldiers were encamped closer to town, General Lee was unaware of this. He had been suffering from lack of enemy information for three days because his chief Stuart was not preforming his duties right. Stuart and his cavalry had gone off on their own raiding party, disobeying Lee's orders. Another confederate, raiding party went to Gettysburg for boots and other supplies. Lee's troop ran right into the Union General George G. Meade's cavalry there. This triggered the Battle of Gettysburg, the battle began on July 1st, 1863 when the forces began firing. General Lee ordered General Ewell to attack immediately. Ewell hesitated and gave federals time to establish a defense position. The confederates camped at Seminary Ridge, which ran parallel to the Union forces. Both camps called for their main forces to reinforce them and help prepare them for combat the next day.
Day 2- On July 2nd Lee ordered an attack on the left side of the Union line. He knew that he could win the battle if his troops captured Little Round Top from the Union forces. From this hill Lee's troops could easily fire down on the Union forces. The Confederate troops and Union forces fought viciously for control of Little Round Top. The fighting was more fierce on the south side. The 20th Maine led by Colonel Joshua Chamberlain battled the 15th Alabama led by colonial William Oates. Eventually the Union forced the confederates to pull back from Little Round Top. Then they attacked Cemetery Hill and Culp's hill. The fighting lasted until night time. the attack on cemetery hill was unsuccessful. the union forces still help a strong defensive position by the ends day.
Day 3- On the third day Longstreet again tried to convince Lee not to attack. But Lee thought that the Union forces were ready to break. so he planned to attack. General Meade left only about 5750 troops to defend the center. For over an hour, the confederates covered Cemetery Ridge with cannon fire. for awhile the union cannons fired back, then they backed off. since they backed off the confederates assumed that they had seriously damaged the Union , but in reality they did little damage. The task of charging the Union center fell to three divisions of confederate soldiers. General George Pickett commanded the largest unit. nearly 15000 men took part in Pickett's Charge. for one mile they marched slowly up toward cemetery ridge. They suffered severe losses, but eventually some of them almost reached their destination. General Meade decided not to follow Lee's army. This angered Lincoln. He felt that Meade had missed an opportunity to crush the confederates and possibly end the war.
William Oates Quote
"The blood stood in puddles in some places in the rocks." - William Oates
William said this describing the conflict between the last battle.
William said this describing the conflict between the last battle.