The Battle of Gettysburg took place from July 1-3, 1863 near the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It began accidentally when Confederate forces encountered Union cavalry. Over 51,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or captured in the battle, making it the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War. Although the Confederates forced a Union retreat on July 3, they were unable to take the high ground or claim victory. This major Union victory marked a turning point that led to the eventual Northern defeat of the South. Gettysburg is now a major tourist site where people visit battlefields, memorials and reenactments of the pivotal battle.
2. The Battle of Gettysburg took place
July 1 – 3 in 1863
The Battle of Gettysburg began
accidentally.
Two Confederate Brigades under the
command of General Heth moved in to
occupy the town of
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Little did they know, the town was
already occupied by two Union Calvary
Brigades commanded by General John
Buford.
3. Gettysburg is considered the bloodiest
battle in the Civil War
Battle of Gettysburg Casualties • 51,000 soldiers were
30,000
killed, wounded, missing
25,000 or captured : more than
any Civil War battle
20,000
23,000 Union Casualties
Number of Soldiers
15,000 3,155 killed
10,000
28,000 Confederate Casualties
4,708 killed
5,000
0
Men Lost Men Killed
4. The Confederate Army decided to charge the middle of the Union defense. Though
they did eventually force the Union to retreat to Cemetery Hill , they had lost many
too men and were unable to claim the high ground or victory. This battle was
considered to be a turning point in the Civil War leading to the Union’s victory
6. Now, Gettysburg is a tourist attraction. People come
from all over visit to walk the battlegrounds , see
reenactments, and view memorials
Reenactments are performed of the battle
The Gettysburg Memorial
Monument, built on the spot where Statue of General John Buford
Lincoln gave his Gettysburg Address.
7. 75 year after the Battle of
Gettysburg, President F.D. Roosevelt
dedicated a memorial on the battle’s
anniversary .
The Eternal Light Peace Memorial was
placed on the site of where the Battle
of Gettysburg began on July 1. The
monument is a everlasting flame with
an inscription reading :
quot;Peace Eternal in a Nation Unitedquot;.