What Happened On July 3rd?
As dawn broke on July 3, 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg reached its conclusion, altering the trajectory of the Civil War in favor of the Union. This decisive day ended a ferocious three-day conflict, which became synonymous with some of the fiercest fighting of the war. The Pennsylvania countryside bore witness to a clash that would determine the nation’s future.
Gathering Storms
The days preceding the final confrontation were met with incessant combat. On July 1st, General Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia engaged with General George G. Meade’s Union Army of the Potomac, resulting in substantial casualties on both sides.
The following day was marred by brutal attacks at strategic locations such as Little Round Top, Devil’s Den, and the Wheatfield. Despite the ferocity of the battles, neither side could claim a definitive victory. By the evening of July 2nd, both armies were entrenched, having suffered a heavy number losses.
Pickett’s Gamble & The Last Roll Of The Dice
General Lee, intent on breaking the Union’s defensive line, devised a plan for a massive frontal assault on Cemetery Ridge. Convinced that the Union flanks were weakened, he aimed to exploit a perceived vulnerability at the center. Major General George Pickett, along with divisions commanded by Generals J. Johnston Pettigrew and Isaac R. Trimble, was tasked with leading the charge.
The afternoon commenced with an intense artillery barrage intended to soften Union defenses. For nearly two hours, the thunder of cannons echoed across the battlefield. However, many Confederate shells failed to hit their tagrets, inflicting minimal damage on Union positions—a critical misjudgment that would prove disastrous.
At approximately 3 p.m., around 12,500 Confederate soldiers emerged from the woods, advancing across the open fields towards Cemetery Ridge. The sight of the gray-clad troops, marching resolutely under the scorching July sun, was both a grim and awe-inspiring spectacle.
High Tide of the Confederacy
Union soldiers, fortified behind stone walls, awaited the advancing Confederates with a mix of anxiety and resolve. As Pickett’s men approached, Union artillery and rifle fire unleashed a devastating barrage, decimating the Confederate ranks. Despite the overwhelming firepower, the Confederate troops pressed onward.
The charge managed to breach the Union lines at several points, resulting in fierce hand-to-hand combat. At the “Angle,” a low stone wall integral to the Union defenses, Brigadier General Lewis Armistead led a breakthrough, momentarily penetrating the Union line before being mortally wounded.
This moment, often referred to as the “High Water Mark of the Confederacy,” symbolized the closest the South came to achieving independence. Armistead, a close friend of Union General Winfield Scott Hancock, was found mortally wounded and reportedly gave a Masonic sign of distress. Union soldiers who were also Masons recognized the sign and ensured he received care.
Despite the initial breach, Union reinforcements and superior positioning ultimately repelled the Confederate assault. The attacking force, decimated and exhausted, retreated across the blood-soaked fields.
The Confederate Eclipse
As the dust settled, the magnitude of the Confederate defeat became apparent. Pickett’s Charge had resulted in over 50% casualties for the attacking force, with thousands killed, wounded, or captured.
In the aftermath of the failed assault, the Confederate army began its retreat to Virginia. General Lee, accepting full responsibility for the defeat, offered his resignation to Confederate President Jefferson Davis, who refused, believing Lee’s leadership was irreplaceable.
The Union victory at Gettysburg, coupled with the fall of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, was a significant turning point in the Civil War. These victories bolstered Northern morale and dealt a severe blow to the Confederacy, both militarily and politically. Lee’s army, greatly weakened, would never again launch a major offensive into Union territory.
Remembering Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg has been meticulously studied and commemorated. The Gettysburg National Cemetery, dedicated by President Abraham Lincoln in November 1863, is as a lasting tribute to the soldiers who fought and died there. Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, delivered during the cemetery’s dedication, encapsulated the battle’s impact and its implications for the nation’s future.
Today, Gettysburg is preserved as a National Military Park, attracting visitors worldwide. The lessons of Gettysburg—encompassing bravery, sacrifice, and the high cost of conflict—continue to resonate. This historic site stands as a testament to a crucial juncture in American history, where the fate of the nation hung in the balance.
Amidst the battle’s chaos, Jennie Wade, the only civilian casualty, was struck by a stray bullet while kneading dough in her sister’s kitchen. Her death demonstrates the indiscriminate nature of warfare and the profound impact on civilians caught in the crossfire.
