Gettysburg, Battle of
Gettysburg, Battle of (1863).One of the most decisive battles of the Civil War raged from July 1–3 1863 at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. General Robert E. Lee decided to invade Pennsylvania and threaten Harrisburg, Baltimore, and Washington, not only to carry the war to the enemy but also to relieve the pressure on the siege of Vicksburg. The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, 75,000 strong, crossed the Potomac in June and the Union Army of the Potomac, 88,000 strong, moved to stay between the Rebels and Washington. Command of the Union army had been given to Gen. George Gordon Meade on June 28 and he determined to find and fight Lee.
Union and Confederate troops met each other near Gettysburg. Rebels were looking for shoes and other supplies; Yanks were...
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