Battle of Gettysburg
Intro
In the summer of year 1863, after about 2 years and a six month from the attack on ft. Sumter, Northern and Southern view of the war differed a lot from each other. Confederates, who had advantage of home ground, the high spirited soldiers that volunteered themselves, and well-educated, talented generals such as Robert E. Lee, dominated the war since its beginning. On the other hand, Union had to suffer with continuing military failure which lead to the anti war movement. After the great victory of Chancellorsville, VA, public opinion of the South started to demand that Lee should invade North or at least show bold military action toward Washington D.C. The Public Opinion was so strong that “Whether the Confederate Government shared this feeling or not, it acted in accordance with it; and whether Lee approved it or not, he was obliged to obey.” (249, Johnson) Unions who could not afford any more lost, also became desperate to stop the Confederate’s invade in North. In this intense tension, on July 1-3, 1863, Confederates lead by Lee and Unions lead by Meade ran into each other in crossroad town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (History.com). The battle that will be recalled as the most celebrated started to forge (Brinkley).
Goals
Winning the battle was crucial to both Union and Confederates. Long running war without any victory started to wear off the Northerners and idea of the peace treaty or accept Southerners request in order to stop the war started to emerge. It was a matter of course that if they let Southerners to invade north and change the battle field, public opinion will go ballistic against war. For Union Government, matter of winning the battle of Gettysburg and defend the village was something they must achieve. Furthermore, in consideration of the strategic importance of Gettysburg as a road centre, losing the fort would be critical military failure (Encyclopedia Britannica). Confederate’s condition was not so good either. Under the Union general Grant’s order, Vicksburg had fallen into Union’s hand and its fall opened up the Mississippi and cut the Confederacy into two. The occupation of the Mississippi “might seal the fate of the new Government unless the shock was neutralized by a great victory in the East.” (249, Johnson) Not only military reason, but also diplomatic and strategic reasons required the occupation of the Gettysburg. Attack and ruin the soil of North will bring more peace movement among the citizens, save war-destroyed Virginia and secure immediate recognition from England and France. Everyone knew this battle will be the turning point of the war.
Battle
On July 1st, the battle began with the collision between two cavalries. Lee tried to give considerable damage to the Union army before Unions reinforcement, 1st and 11th corps, arrives by ordering attack of cemetery hill. However, under the command of Meade’s advanced cavalry’s commander, John Buford, Union cavalry successfully defended the hill until the arrival of reinforcement. Overnight, three more Union corps arrived and built strong defense line along the hillside.
Next morning, the first thing greeted the Confederate soldiers was strong position established by 90,000 Union soldiers along fish-hook shaped ranged hills and ridges. Against his vice commanders advice, Lee decided to attack Union in their position now with 70,000 soldiers. “He ordered Longstreet to lead an attack on the Union left, while Ewell’s corps would strike the right, near Culp’s Hill.” (History.com) However, his plan started to go wrong way from the start by the tardy of the officers. With positional disadvantage, Confederate army poured heavy attack on the left wing of the Union defense. Over several hours, bloody fight continued; by the end of the day Union was able to hold the little top of the hill but had lost the orchard and the field. Even with the loss of some of the spots, Union was still on the strong position (Civil War Trust).
The battle continued till the next day disregarding the severe casualties. Fighting resumed in Culp’s hill, by Confederates charging aggressive attack by 12,000 against the Union at Cemetery Ridge--Pickett's Charge. The attack failed when the Union army opened fired and held on their defense. Confederate loss was devastating and Lee had to retreat his troops back to Virginia.
Aftermath and Impact
Meade’s decision to do not follow the retreating Lee’s army gave time to reorganize the troop for Confederates. During the battle, about 51,000 casualties occured from both Confederates and Union. The battle of Gettysburg was the biggest bloodist battle of the civil war and totally changed every situation. The peace movement in North started to fade, and the spirit of them got high again. Lee tried to resign himself in charge of the loss of the Battle but president Davis declined it. The victory of battle of Gettysburg combined with the battle of Vicksburg tuned the war to the Union's favor.
Bibliography
Please check Bibliography section on the top.
In the summer of year 1863, after about 2 years and a six month from the attack on ft. Sumter, Northern and Southern view of the war differed a lot from each other. Confederates, who had advantage of home ground, the high spirited soldiers that volunteered themselves, and well-educated, talented generals such as Robert E. Lee, dominated the war since its beginning. On the other hand, Union had to suffer with continuing military failure which lead to the anti war movement. After the great victory of Chancellorsville, VA, public opinion of the South started to demand that Lee should invade North or at least show bold military action toward Washington D.C. The Public Opinion was so strong that “Whether the Confederate Government shared this feeling or not, it acted in accordance with it; and whether Lee approved it or not, he was obliged to obey.” (249, Johnson) Unions who could not afford any more lost, also became desperate to stop the Confederate’s invade in North. In this intense tension, on July 1-3, 1863, Confederates lead by Lee and Unions lead by Meade ran into each other in crossroad town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (History.com). The battle that will be recalled as the most celebrated started to forge (Brinkley).
Goals
Winning the battle was crucial to both Union and Confederates. Long running war without any victory started to wear off the Northerners and idea of the peace treaty or accept Southerners request in order to stop the war started to emerge. It was a matter of course that if they let Southerners to invade north and change the battle field, public opinion will go ballistic against war. For Union Government, matter of winning the battle of Gettysburg and defend the village was something they must achieve. Furthermore, in consideration of the strategic importance of Gettysburg as a road centre, losing the fort would be critical military failure (Encyclopedia Britannica). Confederate’s condition was not so good either. Under the Union general Grant’s order, Vicksburg had fallen into Union’s hand and its fall opened up the Mississippi and cut the Confederacy into two. The occupation of the Mississippi “might seal the fate of the new Government unless the shock was neutralized by a great victory in the East.” (249, Johnson) Not only military reason, but also diplomatic and strategic reasons required the occupation of the Gettysburg. Attack and ruin the soil of North will bring more peace movement among the citizens, save war-destroyed Virginia and secure immediate recognition from England and France. Everyone knew this battle will be the turning point of the war.
Battle
On July 1st, the battle began with the collision between two cavalries. Lee tried to give considerable damage to the Union army before Unions reinforcement, 1st and 11th corps, arrives by ordering attack of cemetery hill. However, under the command of Meade’s advanced cavalry’s commander, John Buford, Union cavalry successfully defended the hill until the arrival of reinforcement. Overnight, three more Union corps arrived and built strong defense line along the hillside.
Next morning, the first thing greeted the Confederate soldiers was strong position established by 90,000 Union soldiers along fish-hook shaped ranged hills and ridges. Against his vice commanders advice, Lee decided to attack Union in their position now with 70,000 soldiers. “He ordered Longstreet to lead an attack on the Union left, while Ewell’s corps would strike the right, near Culp’s Hill.” (History.com) However, his plan started to go wrong way from the start by the tardy of the officers. With positional disadvantage, Confederate army poured heavy attack on the left wing of the Union defense. Over several hours, bloody fight continued; by the end of the day Union was able to hold the little top of the hill but had lost the orchard and the field. Even with the loss of some of the spots, Union was still on the strong position (Civil War Trust).
The battle continued till the next day disregarding the severe casualties. Fighting resumed in Culp’s hill, by Confederates charging aggressive attack by 12,000 against the Union at Cemetery Ridge--Pickett's Charge. The attack failed when the Union army opened fired and held on their defense. Confederate loss was devastating and Lee had to retreat his troops back to Virginia.
Aftermath and Impact
Meade’s decision to do not follow the retreating Lee’s army gave time to reorganize the troop for Confederates. During the battle, about 51,000 casualties occured from both Confederates and Union. The battle of Gettysburg was the biggest bloodist battle of the civil war and totally changed every situation. The peace movement in North started to fade, and the spirit of them got high again. Lee tried to resign himself in charge of the loss of the Battle but president Davis declined it. The victory of battle of Gettysburg combined with the battle of Vicksburg tuned the war to the Union's favor.
Bibliography
Please check Bibliography section on the top.