Battle of Gettysburg

The Battle of Gettysburg, occurring in and around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was a pivotal three-day engagement during the American Civil War. Fought between Union and Confederate forces, the Union emerged victorious, marking a turning point in the conflict and thwarting the Confederacy's aspirations for independence. 

The battle, known for its staggering casualty count of around 50,000, saw Union Major General George Meade's Army of the Potomac defeating Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. This victory halted Lee's invasion of the North, compelling his retreat. The Gettysburg Campaign, initiated by Lee after his success at Chancellorsville, aimed to shift the focus from war-ravaged Northern Virginia and influence Northern politicians. The battle's three days witnessed intense clashes, including the iconic Pickett's Charge on July 3. The Union's resolute defense and repulsion of the Confederate assault cemented Gettysburg as the war's bloodiest conflict. 

President Abraham Lincoln later used the dedication ceremony for the Gettysburg National Cemetery on November 19, 1863, to deliver the historic Gettysburg Address, honoring the fallen soldiers and redefining the war's purpose.