Gettysburg: The Largest And Most Costly Battle
One of the most famous and deadliest battles of the Civil War happened in a little town called Gettysburg. The three-day long battle started on July 1st 1863 when confederate General Robert E. Lee attempted to invade the northern town. Union Major General George Gordon Meade and his Army of the Potomac managed to fend off the invasion.
Gettysburg is often labeled as the battle that turned the war in favor of the Union army. More than 50,000 men from both sides lost their lives in the epic battle. The North entered the battle with 97,000 men prepared to fight off the invasion of the 75,000 Confederate soldiers. After enduring days of deadly fighting, General Lee gave the order to withdraw and head back down south on July 4, 1963. The small town of Gettysburg was littered with more than 5,000 dead horses, expended ammunitions and massive destruction.
The Confederation never recovered from the devastating loss they suffered in Gettysburg. President Abraham Lincoln gave his historical Gettysburg Address on the bloody battle site. Union soldiers were honored at the dedication of Gettysburg National Cemetery. Lincoln used his speech to motivate and encourage his Union army to continue and ultimately win the war.
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