On July 1, 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg—the largest and most consequential battle ever fought on American soil—began in the rolling hills and farmlands surrounding the small town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Over the next three days, more than 160,000 Union and Confederate soldiers would clash in a brutal struggle that would leave approximately 51,000 men killed, wounded, captured, or missing. The battle marked a decisive turning point in the Civil War, halting General Robert E. Lee’s second invasion of the North and shifting the momentum permanently in favor of the Union.
The road to Gettysburg began in June 1863, when Confederate General Robert E. Lee led his Army of Northern Virginia into Pennsylvania following his stunning victory at Chancellorsville. Lee hoped an invasion of the North would relieve pressure on war-torn Virginia, gather much-needed supplies, influence Northern public opinion against the war, and perhaps even encourage foreign recognition of the Confederacy. Newly appointed Union General George G. Meade quickly moved the Army of the Potomac north to intercept Lee before the Confederate army could threaten major Northern cities such as Harrisburg, Baltimore, or even Washington, D.C.
The fighting began almost by accident on the morning of July 1. Confederate troops under General Henry Heth approached Gettysburg, reportedly searching for supplies, including shoes. Instead, they encountered Union cavalry commanded by Brigadier General John Buford. Recognizing the strategic importance of the high ground south of town, Buford skillfully delayed the Confederate advance until Union infantry reinforcements under Major General John Reynolds arrived. Reynolds was killed early in the fighting, becoming one of the highest-ranking Union officers to die during the war, but his troops continued the fierce defense.
As additional Confederate forces poured into the battle throughout the day, Union soldiers were gradually pushed back through the streets of Gettysburg. Despite suffering heavy casualties, they successfully established strong defensive positions on Cemetery Hill, Cemetery Ridge, and nearby Culp’s Hill—elevated terrain that would prove critical during the remaining two days of combat.
By nightfall, Lee believed victory was within reach. He ordered his commanders to seize the Union-held high ground “if practicable,” but confusion, fatigue, and missed opportunities prevented a coordinated assault. That hesitation allowed Meade’s army to strengthen its defensive line overnight and prepare for the massive attacks that would follow.
The second and third days of the battle featured some of the Civil War’s most famous engagements, including the desperate fighting at Little Round Top, the Wheatfield, and the climactic assault known as Pickett’s Charge. Lee’s failed attack on July 3 ended his hopes of carrying the war into Northern territory and forced his army to retreat back to Virginia.
Just four months later, President Abraham Lincoln returned to Gettysburg to dedicate the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. In only 272 words, his Gettysburg Address transformed the battlefield into a lasting symbol of national sacrifice, equality, and the enduring promise of American democracy.
Today, Gettysburg National Military Park preserves the fields where the battle began on July 1, 1863. The opening day’s fierce fighting serves as a reminder of the enormous cost of preserving the Union and the courage displayed by soldiers on both sides during one of the defining moments in American history.
