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Researched by TAYLOR N. |
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Introduction
The battle of Gettysburg was the most gruesome
battle of the Civil War, with almost 51,000 casualties for both sides.
The battle was fought July 1-3, 1869. The two forces met accidentally
in the middle of town, and the three day battle began.
Confederatcy
The
southern states made their own government, they even elected their own
president. They elected Jefferson Davis. In 1861-1862 the Confederacy
won most battles. When Robert E. Lee was in command of the Virginian
army, they seemed unstoppable. When going up against the Union in
Gettysburg they were confident. General Lee was in command of 75,000
men, but they were out numbered by 20,000 men. The Confederates won the
first day, tied the second day, and lost the third and final day.
Union
In 1861-1862 the Union Army lost most battles. The
Union Army consisted of the northern states. Abraham Lincoln was the
president of the United States. Major General George G. Meade led the
North. The North had 20,000 more men than the South, but they still
weren’t favored to win.
Battle Summary
On the
first day General Buford ordered his Union troops to high ground on
three ridges: Cemetery Ridge, Cemetery Hill, and Culps Hill. The first
battle was at Chambersburg Pike. The Confederate won and pushed Union
forces back to Mcpherson Ridge. Early in fighting General Reynolds was
shot behind the right ear. At the end of the fighting the Confederate
had won the first day. Day two: On the morning of the second day
150,000 troops had moved through the city. Confederate soldiers
controlled Emmittsburg Road. The North controlled cemetery ridge. Lee
was planning to assault the North. Day three: At about three in the
afternoon of July 3, 1863, Robert Lee ordered the most fateful assault
of the war against the center of the Union line but the Union counter
attacked, clinching the win for the Union
Weapons
There
were many weapons in Gettysburg. The pistol used most often in
Gettysburg was the Colt model 1862 Cooper pocket revolver. It had .44
caliber and an eight-inch barrel. The pistol was used for close range
shots in the open and from horseback. The greatest rifle was the
Springfield 1842 model. It was a muzzle-loading gun and it had a .69
caliber and a forty two-inch barrel. Men used Springfield’s for
long-range shots from bushes. Both armies used the Enfield 1853 musket
rifle muzzle- loading .577 caliber, which had a thirty two-inch
barrel. It was used for medium range shots and a bayonet could be
attached.
Interesting Facts and Casualties
There
were many interesting facts and casualties in the Gettysburg Battle.
Some of the most interesting facts were that about 5,000 horses died,
and that there were 550 cannons, and about 7,000,000 bullets were
fired. Its amazing that it was the biggest and bloodiest battle in
North American history. It was the turning point of the Civil War. Some
casualties facts are Confederate Soldiers buried their men seven years
after the battle, 3,000 men died in first day, 20,000-30,000 men were
wounded, and there were 23,000 casualties for the North and 28,000
casualties for the South. A grand total of 51,000 casualties on each
side.
Conclusion
Gettysburg was a decisive
battle in United States history. It marked the beginning of the end of
the Civil War, Equal Rights for all people, and the end of slavery.
This brought on many changes in our country and is important today
because now a black man is running for president of The United States.
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