The Road to Gettysburg
On June 3, 1863, General Robert E. Lee and the roughly 75,000 soldiers of the Army of Northern Virginia left their winter encampment near Fredericksburg. Fresh off of major victories against superior Union numbers at both Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, confidence was high the their objective was even loftier. Lee's Army would manage to slip away the Army of the Potomac led by General Joseph Hooker and shield the movements by crossing the Blue Ridge Mountains. Once in the Shenandoah Valley, Lee would turn north and score quick victories against small Union forces at Winchester and Harpers Ferry. Their ultimate destination, if there was a specific target, remains unknown to this day.
What is known is that the plan was to invade Pennsylvania. Bring the war to the North. Create a large enough threat to divert Union resources from the ongoing siege around Vicksburg. Draw the Union Army out into the open where the Yankees would be determined to drive the Confederate threat of the North, and defeat in major battle. If the Confederates were lucky, a devastating victory on Union soil might bring enough political pressure on Congress and Lincoln to end the war.
What is known is that the plan was to invade Pennsylvania. Bring the war to the North. Create a large enough threat to divert Union resources from the ongoing siege around Vicksburg. Draw the Union Army out into the open where the Yankees would be determined to drive the Confederate threat of the North, and defeat in major battle. If the Confederates were lucky, a devastating victory on Union soil might bring enough political pressure on Congress and Lincoln to end the war.
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The Army of the Potomac quickly pursued the Confederates. The Confederate cavalry of Jeb Stuart was tasked with shielding the Confederate advance while tracking the location of the Union forces. The largest cavalry clash of the Civil War was fought to a draw at Brandy Station, Virginia, on June 9 just days after breaking camp at Fredericksburg. Soon after that conflict, Stuart and his cavalry would would circle behind the Union forces and engage in one of the longest raids of the Civil War. (See link to the right for Lee's orders.) It also remains one of the most controversial and hotly debated maneuvers of the Civil War still today. Stuart's cavalry remained separated from the Army of Northern Virginia with no communication for over two weeks leaving Robert E Lee and his Army largely oblivious to the location and proximity of their foe. By the time Lee became aware that his opponent was closer than he ever imagined, the Army of Northern Virginia was spread across the rolling hills and fields of southern Pennsylvania and the Army of the Potomac had a new commanding officer named General George Gordon Meade. |
The link above connects to Lee's orders to Jeb Stuart on June 23, 1863. Read them and ask yourself, What would I have done? How clear are the orders? If you are Jeb Stuart, are they open to interrelation?
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July 1, 1863The battle began with little intent or objective on either side as isolated units fought a skirmish on the roads west of Gettysburg. By mid-day, a full battle raged and the results of their first day laid the foundation for
the rest of the battle. Click the link below for a detailed look at Day 1. |
July 2, 1863On July 2nd the Confederates attack both flanks against the Union line which had formed around the high ground south of the town.
Click the link below for a detailed look at Day 2. |
July 3, 1863Day 3 witnessed the climatic Pickett's Charge combined with flank attacks at Culp's Hill and cavalry attacks o both the northern and southern flanks.
Click the link below for a detailed look at Day 3. |
Recommended Readings
The following materials cover the entirety of the Battle of Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Campaign.
Use the links above to locate titles specific to each day of the battle.
Use the links above to locate titles specific to each day of the battle.