The Battle Of Gettysburg
The Battle Of Gettysburg was fought from July 1 - 3, 1863 in the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The battle had the largest amount of casualties in the American Civil War and fused old styles of fighting with advanced weaponry. The clash between the styles of fighting and the new weaponry gave birth to the bloodiest, most brutal battle fought in the American Civil War. A total of 23,040 casualties for the Union and approximately 25,000 casualties of the Confederacy. Together, over 48,000 people lost their lives at the battle of Gettysburg. On the first day of battle, the Confederate 1st Corps and General A.P Hill's Corps were grappling McPherson's Ridge for several hours. They later appeared on the right flank of the first line of Union troops. This pushed the Union down to Cemetery Hill as night fell. On the second day of battle most of the daytime was constant brutal combat and the Union trying to hold their ground. Hill's Corps came for a strong attack at the Union solders at the peach orchard and crushed them driving the survivors to the wheat fields and Devils Den. Meanwhile, the Union forces that were holding Cemetery Hill had the advantage of having the higher-ground and better firepower. Slowly, the Union had to recede and the Confederacy continued to push forward. On the third day of battle the Union showed the upper hand and held all points off except for the Peach Orchard, Devils Den, and Emmitsburg Road. The Confederacy, losing will to fight, was at its climax of the battle. The South began to recede. The Union had held them off. The south had reached its peak and would not be able to advance north of Gettysburg. The war was slowly coming to a halt.