The Battle of Gettysburg

In 1863, midway through the American Civil War of 1861-1865, the Union suffered a setback at Chancellorsville. Pursuing their advantage, Confederate forces under Robert Lee marched towards Harrisburg in Pennsylvania, but were intercepted by Union forces at Gettysburg on July 1st. The fighting was bitter, for both sides knew that victory here might decide the outcome of the war.

The battle lasted three days. The Union forces took up a defensive position on Cemetery Ridge; on the third day the Confederate forces on Seminary Ridge crossed the open ground and charged up the hill to General Meade’s Union line. But the assault failed, the South withdrew and General Lee never again attempted to invade Union territory.

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