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The Battle of Gettysburg

The Battle of Gettysburg. American Civil War Mr. Contipodero. The Second Turning Point. “Yesterday we rode on the pinnacle of success – today absolute ruin seems to be our portion.” Josiah Gorgas, Confederate Ordinance Chief, July 28, 1863. Background Information on Gettysburg.

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The Battle of Gettysburg

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  1. The Battle of Gettysburg American Civil War Mr. Contipodero

  2. The Second Turning Point • “Yesterday we rode on the pinnacle of success – today absolute ruin seems to be our portion.” • Josiah Gorgas, Confederate Ordinance Chief, July 28, 1863

  3. Background Information on Gettysburg • Confederates foraging parties in PA • Claiming blacks and sending to the South • Hooker wanted to get Richmond • Wanted more support from Washington • Lincoln presumed he was afraid to fight Lee again • McClellan?

  4. Over Shoes? • Lee intended on getting between Harrisburg and Lancaster • General Stuart’s Cavalry was on another mission • Lee did not know Union army location • Lee intended to go to Cashtown (8 miles from Gettysburg) • July 1st, 1863 • Confederate infantry clashed with 2 Union brigades at Gettysburg • John Buford (Union cavalry) saw significance

  5. Day One • Confederates closer on first day • 25,000 to 19,000 (Union) • Ewell’s troops (Jackson’s corps) defeated Union 11th Corps • Union north and west positions of Gettysburg collapse • Take position at Cemetery Hill

  6. Day One • Lee arrived in the afternoon on July 1st • Told Ewell to attack Cemetery Hill “if practicable” • Lee still doesn’t have cavalry • Ewell hesitated to attack

  7. Day 2 • Most of remaining troops reached battlefield • Union position resembled a fishhook • Defensive approach • Southern position was twice as long • Tough for communication purposes

  8. Day 2 • General Longstreet (CSA) • Union position was too strong to attack • Suggested flanking movement – go south between Union army and DC • Lee • Why did Lee not take Longstreet’s advice?

  9. Day 2 • Longstreet disagreed but obeyed Lee’s orders • Primary assault on Union left • Ewell attacks Cemetery and Culp’s Hills • Engaged in artillery battle instead of sending troops • Union reinforcements drove Rebels off Cemetery Hill • Daniel Sickles, Commanded Union 3rd Corps • Advanced to higher ground at Emmitsburg Road • Left Little Round Top undefended • 20th Maine holds the hill and the entire Union left flank

  10. Fighting Grounds • Famous fighting spots: • The Peach Orchard • Wheat Field • Devil’s Den • Union forces fought with fierce determination • Timely command decisions • Shifting reinforcements

  11. Day 3 • A.P. Hill’s corps crippled and Longstreet’s divisions were mangled • Longstreet pleaded Lee to move around the Federal left • Lee believed Union morale was down • Mass together 3 divisions led by Pickett to attack Union center • Winfield Scott Hancock’s 2nd Corps were waiting for Lee

  12. Too Little, Too Late • Stuart’s cavalry wanted to swing east to the Union’s rear flank • Met by Union cavalry – 3-hour clash led by General George Armstrong Custer • Heavy artillery duel at 1pm • Rebel artillery sunk in ground – forcing shots high • Union conserved artillery fire – deception • 13,000 rebels approached Union lines • All 13 of Pickett’s colonels killed – 2 brigade commanders

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