The Battle of Gettysburg: The Civil War in Four Minutes

Summary

The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, was a pivotal conflict in the American Civil War. Confederate General Robert E. Lee attempted to invade the North but clashed with Union forces led by General George G. Meade. Over three days, the Union held strong defensive positions, despite fierce Confederate assaults at McPherson Ridge, Little Round Top, and Pickett’s Charge. The battle resulted in heavy casualties for both sides, with the Union emerging victorious. This victory marked a turning point in the war, halting Lee's northern advance and shifting the momentum in favor of the Union.

Takeaways

• 😀 General Robert E. Lee led the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia into the North for the second time in June 1863, ultimately leading to the Battle of Gettysburg.
• 😀 The Battle of Gettysburg began unexpectedly when Confederate and Union forces accidentally encountered each other near the town of Gettysburg.
• 😀 The Union army, under General George Gordon Meade, initially had fewer troops but held a more compact and defensive position at the battle's outset.
• 😀 On the second day of the battle, General Lee launched a significant attack on the Union left flank, with a focus on Little Round Top and Devil's Den, but failed to break through the Union lines.
• 😀 Despite heavy Confederate artillery bombardments, Union reinforcements managed to hold key positions, including Culp's Hill and Cemetery Hill, forcing Confederate retreat.
• 😀 The Confederate forces managed to capture part of East Cemetery Hill, but were eventually pushed back by Union reinforcements.
• 😀 The Confederate assault on Culp's Hill was partially successful, with the Confederates capturing the lower hill but failing to secure the upper hill.
• 😀 On the third day, General Lee launched Pickett's Charge, a direct assault on the center of the Union line, involving 12,000 Confederate troops, but the charge was devastatingly repelled.
• 😀 Pickett's Charge resulted in high Confederate casualties, with 6,000 of the 12,000 attackers killed, wounded, or captured.
• 😀 Following the failure of Pickett's Charge, General Lee withdrew his forces and retreated back to Virginia, marking the end of the Battle of Gettysburg.
• 😀 Despite suffering a major defeat, Lee's army remained active and continued the war for nearly two more years before the eventual Confederate surrender.

Q & A

What was the reason General Lee moved his army into the North in June of 1863?

General Lee moved his army into the North for the second time in June of 1863 to take the fight to Union territory, seeking to relieve pressure on Virginia and possibly bring about a decisive victory on Northern soil.

How did the Battle of Gettysburg begin?

The Battle of Gettysburg started by accident when the Confederate and Union forces bumped into each other as General Lee heard that Union Commander George Meade was pursuing him. The two armies engaged on McPherson Ridge, north and west of the town.

How many Confederate and Union troops were involved in the battle initially?

The Confederate army had approximately 30,000 troops while the Union had around 18,000 troops engaged in the initial skirmish at Gettysburg.

Why did General Lee concentrate his forces after the initial clash?

General Lee concentrated his forces after learning that General Meade was in pursuit of his army. By consolidating his forces, Lee aimed to prepare for a larger confrontation with the Union army.

What was the significance of the fishhook formation for the Union army?

The Union army formed a fishhook-shaped defensive line around Gettysburg, with key positions on Cemetery Hill, Culp’s Hill, and Little Round Top. This formation provided a strong defensive advantage, allowing the Union to effectively counter Confederate attacks.

What strategy did General Lee employ on the second day of battle?

On the second day, General Lee launched a two-pronged attack: one against the Union's left flank with 15-20,000 troops under General James Longstreet, and another smaller attack on Culp’s Hill, aimed at weakening the Union defense.

What happened during the attack on the Union left flank?

The Confederate attack on the Union left flank involved heavy fighting around Devil's Den, Little Round Top, and the Wheatfield. Despite initial Confederate success, Union reinforcements managed to push back the attackers and prevent a breakthrough.

What was the outcome of the Confederate attack on Culp’s Hill?

The Confederate attack on Culp’s Hill saw limited success, with the Confederates capturing the lower hill, but they were unable to hold the higher position. Union reinforcements eventually recaptured the lower hill and strengthened their defenses on the upper hill.

What was Pickett’s Charge, and how did it affect the battle?

Pickett’s Charge was a massive Confederate assault on the Union center on July 3rd, where 12,000 Confederate troops advanced across an open field toward the Union lines. The charge was repelled with heavy losses, resulting in around 6,000 Confederate casualties and a significant blow to Lee’s army.

How did the Union respond after Pickett’s Charge?

After Pickett’s Charge, Union reinforcements arrived, and the Confederates were unable to maintain their offensive. The Union held its position, and the Confederate forces were forced to retreat after suffering substantial casualties.

What happened after the battle concluded?

After the battle, General Lee withdrew his forces from Gettysburg, retreating back to Virginia. Despite suffering a devastating defeat, Lee stayed in the area for a while, trying to provoke a Union attack, but General Meade did not take the bait. Lee eventually retreated through the mountains to Virginia, and the Civil War continued for almost two more years.