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JUNE 1863
Following his victory at Chancellorsville in May, 1863, General Lee received approval from his government to invade the north. Lee hoped an invasion disrupt the Union war effort. After the death of Stonewall Jackson, Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was, 75,000-strong, The 95,000-strong Federal Army under General Hooker, was initially uncertain of Lee's intentions. On June 9, Hooker ordered cavalry general Alfred Pleasonton to conduct a reconnaissance with 11,000 men across the Rappahannock River toward Brandy Station. Pleasonton ran into Stuart's cavalry, and the largest cavalry battle of the war ensued. The result was a standoff, but the Federals were now alerted to the Confederate army's movements.
By June 28th, Lee decided to bring his entire army east of the mountains and offer battle. At the same time, Meade moved his army north. By June 30, both armies were converging upon Gettysburg and the battle, which would be the turning point of the war, was set to commence.
July 1, 1863. The battle began at 5.30 a.m., when shots were exchanged over Marsh Creek. Heth pushed on until he reached a point about two miles west of Gettysburg. Soon after 10.30 a.m., I Corps arrived and engaged Heth along McPherson's Ridge. By 11.30 a.m., Heth had been defeated and forced to withdraw. Early in the action, Reynolds was killed, and field command devolved upon Howard. Lee arrived on the field after noon. By 4 p.m., both Federal corps were in retreat through Gettysburg to Cemetery Hill. Federal losses numbered slightly over 9,000, including some 3,000 captured, compared with Confederate losses of about 6,500.
The day's action had resulted in a Confederate victory, but Federal forces held onto the high ground south of Gettysburg, where their position was soon strengthened by reinforcements.
July 2, 1863. An early morning reconnaissance of the Federal left revealed that their line did not extend as far south as Little Round Top. Lee would attack from this point. The Federal army was well prepared for Lee's offensive. Six of its seven corps had arrived on the battlefield, and VI Corps was making a thirty-six-mile forced march to reach it.
Soon after Sickles took up a new position, Longstreet attacked. After furious fighting, Longstreet's forces broke through, causing Sickles's entire line to collapse. The second day's fighting had cost each army some 9,000 casualties.
July 3, 1863. Lee's confidence was unshaken by the events of July 2. That night, he ordered Longstreet to renew his assault on the Federal left. Simultaneously, Ewell was to storm Culp's Hill. Meanwhile, Meade had determined to hold his position and await Lee's attack. At l:00 Longstreet opened the great bombardment of the Federal line. The Federal army replied with approximately 80 cannon and a giant duel ensued which lasted for nearly two hours. After the bombardment subsided, the infantry went forward. This has subsequently been known throughout history as "Pickett's Charge." Federal artillery, followed by musketry, cut their formations to pieces and inflicted devastating losses. The attack ended in disaster, with nearly 5,600 Confederate casualties
The battle was effectively over. Federal losses numbered approximately 23,000, while estimates of Confederate losses range between 20,000 and 28,000.
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