The Battle of Gettysburg Essay Example

The Battle of Gettysburg fought from July 1–3, 1863, was a key American Civil War battle fought 35 miles (56 kilometers) southwest of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, that concluded in a catastrophic Southern loss. It is widely recognized as the war's turning point, and it has perhaps been researched and analyzed more than any other combat in American history.    

Day One

On July 1, one of Buford's brigades, armed with the newly issued Spencer repeating carbines, held up Heth's division until the arrival of Gen. John F. Reynolds's I Corps at around 11:00 a.m. Heth's two leading brigades were forced back by a ferocious counterattack, with high casualties on both sides. Reynolds was severely wounded during the battle, becoming the highest-ranking officer to perish at Gettysburg and one of the war's most senior commanders.

Day Two

Meade's forces had formed a line along Culp's Hill, Cemetery Hill, and Cemetery Ridge by sunrise. Both commanders realized that a Confederate victory on the Federal right would compromise Meade's position by jeopardizing his communication line along the Baltimore Pike. Lee sought to take advantage of this strategic flaw, but Ewell urged that the main attack should be made on the opposite wing by Longstreet. On the other hand, Longstreet argued that Lee should order Meade to attack.

Day Three

Lee was adamant on attacking again on the third day, despite Longstreet's concerns. Meade, on the other hand, lacked confidence and chose to stay and fight only after a formal council of war. While Ewell launched a secondary attack on Culp's Hill, Lee intended to strike the Federal center with ten brigades, three of which would be Gen. George Pickett's division's new men.Although the attack is known as "Pickett's Charge," the general's only overall responsibility was to form the divisions of Brig. Gen. James Johnston Pettigrew (who took over Heth's division after Heth was mortally wounded on July 1) and Gen. Isaac Trimble (who took over Gen. Dorsey Pender's division after Pender was mortally wounded on July 2) as they approached their attack positions on his left. The operation was commanded by Longstreet, not Pickett. Shortly after 1:00 p.m., the Confederates launched a massive artillery strike, which was quickly responded to by Federal counterfire.

Conclusion

The Battle of Gettysburg fought from July 1–3, 1863, was a key American Civil War battle fought in Pennsylvania that concluded in a catastrophic Southern loss.