The Battle of Gettysburg

The American Civil War Battle of Gettysburg fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, is regarded as its pivotal encounter. The Civil War's turning point was the Battle of Gettysburg. The three-day combat was the worst of the conflict, with over 50,000 estimated losses. Union triumph. Confederate general Robert E. Lee's bold plan to invade the North and end the Civil War quickly was thwarted at Gettysburg. The Confederate States of America's dreams of independence were crushed by the defeat there.

Lee's goal was to triumph in a battle north of the Mason-Dixon line in the hopes of forcing a negotiated conclusion to the fighting after a year of defensive wins in Virginia. That objective was thwarted by his defeat at Gettysburg. Instead, the vanquished commander made his escape to the south while leading a wagon train of injured soldiers toward the Potomac. Meade, the Union general, missed a crucial chance to trap Lee and compel a Confederate to surrender by choosing not to follow the withdrawing army. Another two years passed as the vehemently polarizing war continued.

Lee, who was demoralized by the Gettysburg loss, attempted to resign but was rejected by President Jefferson Davis. The Battle of Gettysburg decisively shifted the Civil War's balance of power in the Union's favor, despite the fact that the great Confederate general would go on to achieve further successes.