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The Battle of Gettysburg
A turning point of the American Civil War
Union forces stopped Robert E. Lee's invasion of the North in Pennsylvania. It had the most casualties of any battle of the war, and months later Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address at the cemetery.
Lee led the Army of Northern Virginia into Pennsylvania in June 1863, hoping to relieve Virginia from the war and to pressure Northern political will. The Union Army of the Potomac, under George Meade, who had taken command only days earlier, met him by chance as scattered units converged on the town of Gettysburg.
Fighting began on 1 July west and north of town. On the second day Confederate attacks hit the Union flanks at places such as Little Round Top and Culp's Hill. On the third day Lee ordered a massive infantry assault on the Union center, remembered as Pickett's Charge, which failed with heavy losses. Lee withdrew south on 4 July.
Total casualties are usually estimated at roughly 46,000 to 51,000 killed, wounded, captured or missing on both sides, and figures vary by source and method of counting. Many wounded men and civilians were affected for months afterward.
Lincoln spoke at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery on 19 November 1863. The speech was brief, but it recast the war as a struggle for equality and self-government.