The Battle of Gettysburg
Day One. The battle of Gettysburg is the most known battle of
the American
Civil War. The battle lasted for three days and when it was over
more than
8,000 soldiers on both sides would be dead. Arriving in town on June 30th 1863, Union General John Buford was in command of two brigades of cavalry. These were the first Union troops to arrive at Gettysburg.
Buford was never ordered to defend the town he did it on his own.
Buford put his men in a defensive position on McPherson’s Ridge. He knew
his men were outnumbered and could never fight off a Confederate attack
so his main goal was simply to be able to buy some time while waiting for
the main body of the Union army.
day 2 July 2, 1863 the battle of Gettysburg started its second day.
At 11:00 Lee made his move. He ordered Longstreet to attack south up the Emmitsburg road toward Little and Big Round Tops which looked empty of Union troops. An attack here would strike the Union in its left flank. Since General Meade would be focused on the
Confederates at Culp’s Hill which he could clearly see, this maneuver against his left flank would be a surprise.
July 3, 1863 was the final day of the Battle of Gettysburg. During the night both sides were reinforcing there number of troops. Early in the morning the Union struck first. General Slocum attacked Confederate troops at Culp’s Hill to regain territory lost the previous day. This fight lasted for a good 8 hours finally forcing the Confederates to retreat off of Culp’s Hill. In the end the north won the battle.
the American
Civil War. The battle lasted for three days and when it was over
more than
8,000 soldiers on both sides would be dead. Arriving in town on June 30th 1863, Union General John Buford was in command of two brigades of cavalry. These were the first Union troops to arrive at Gettysburg.
Buford was never ordered to defend the town he did it on his own.
Buford put his men in a defensive position on McPherson’s Ridge. He knew
his men were outnumbered and could never fight off a Confederate attack
so his main goal was simply to be able to buy some time while waiting for
the main body of the Union army.
day 2 July 2, 1863 the battle of Gettysburg started its second day.
At 11:00 Lee made his move. He ordered Longstreet to attack south up the Emmitsburg road toward Little and Big Round Tops which looked empty of Union troops. An attack here would strike the Union in its left flank. Since General Meade would be focused on the
Confederates at Culp’s Hill which he could clearly see, this maneuver against his left flank would be a surprise.
July 3, 1863 was the final day of the Battle of Gettysburg. During the night both sides were reinforcing there number of troops. Early in the morning the Union struck first. General Slocum attacked Confederate troops at Culp’s Hill to regain territory lost the previous day. This fight lasted for a good 8 hours finally forcing the Confederates to retreat off of Culp’s Hill. In the end the north won the battle.