Day 1- July 1, 1863
July 1, 1863 marks the first day of the battle in Gettysburg. This map shows the Union, in green, and the Confederates, in red. The Confederates stood along McPherson's Ridge for many hours. Two divisions appeared on the right of the Union and attacked. A battle line then formed, which combined the two Union lines. Their resistance collapsed and eventually the Union retreated.
Day 2- July 2, 1863
On the second day of the battle, the daylight was used to prepare both armies. Meade, the commander of the Union army, prepared for attack along Cemetery Hill and two miles around that. Around 4 in the afternoon, an attack broke out around Peach Orchard. General Lee came up with a plan to attack the Union by sneaking up behind them. They had to get past the Union Corps first.
At about 7 that night Confederates attacked the Union on their right flank. It ended the second day and the Union had failed. Both sides lost somewhere around 10,000 men and Meade held a meeting to see if they should withdraw, and they decided to stay.
At about 7 that night Confederates attacked the Union on their right flank. It ended the second day and the Union had failed. Both sides lost somewhere around 10,000 men and Meade held a meeting to see if they should withdraw, and they decided to stay.
Day 3- July 3, 1863
July 3, 1863, the battle's third day. The morning began with both armies on the ridge about a mile apart. Around 1 P.M., a cannonade exploded, throwing its shells over the Union's line behind Cemetery Ridge. Later, about 10,000 men had been killed and wounded after combat at the stone wall.
July 4, 1863
General Lee waited for Meade to attack. Meade decided, after considering many factors, that it was best to stay defensive. After waiting patiently, General Lee gave the order to withdraw and his army marched South. They waited for three days at Falling Waters in a bend at Potomac. After Meade never came, Lee crossed his army over the river.