Battle of Gettysburg

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was the site of the Union victory in the decisive battle of the American Civil War, July 1-3, 1863.  Gettysburg was the culmination of Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s second invasion of the North with his Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.  Lee attacked Union positions at Culp’s Hill, Cemetery Hill, Cemetery Ridge, and Little Round Top, among others, at Gettysburg and failed to break the defensive “fishhook” line along the high ground held by Union General George Meade’s Army of the Potomac.  Pickett’s Charge on July 3 at Gettysburg is sometimes referred to as the “high water mark” of the Confederacy.

Looking back at the Battle of Gettysburg

Battle of Gettysburg

Facts About the Battle of Gettysburg

Gettysburg Fact #1: There Were 50,000 Military Casualties, 1 Civilian

Despite roughly 50,000 casualties reported on both sides during the Battle of Gettysburg, there was only one reported civilian casualty: Mary Wade, a seamstress, was hit by a stray bullet while making bread in her kitchen. Read more

Battle of Gettysburg

Union Army Colonel Wlodzimierz Krzyzanowski

By John E. Spindler

The Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point in the American Civil War. Various parts of the battle have been proposed as pivotal moments for the Union victory, such as the successful defense at Little Round Top or Pickett’s failed charge on the final day. Read more

Battle of Gettysburg

The Grand Review of 1865

By William Stroock

Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, presaging the subsequent surrender of other Confederate forces in the West and the capture of Southern President Jefferson Davis a few weeks later, marked the triumphant end of the nation’s great sundering. Read more

Battle of Gettysburg

Grant Takes D.C.

By Arnold Blumberg

On March 8, 1864, a rainy Tuesday, President and Mrs. Lincoln held a reception at the White House in Washington. Read more

Battle of Gettysburg

The “Gallant” John Bell Hood

By Roy Morris Jr.

When Confederate general John Bell Hood assumed command of the embattled Army of Tennessee at Atlanta in mid-July 1864, he was already grievously wounded in both body and spirit. Read more

battle of the Wilderness

Battle of Gettysburg

Crossroads of Destiny: The Battle of the Wilderness

By Jonas L. Goldstein

The year 1864 was shaping up to be a critical one in the three-year-long Civil War. During the previous year, Federal armies had gained control of the Mississippi River and consolidated their grip on Tennessee. Read more

Battle of Gettysburg

Howard W. Gilmore and the USS Growler: Making the Ultimate Sacrifice

By Chuck Lyons

On February 7, 1943, while on patrol in the Southwest Pacific Ocean, U.S. Navy Commander Howard W. Gilmore, commander of the USS Growler (SS-215), and his crew carved out a place for themselves in Navy legend and set a standard of duty that is remembered in the submarine service today. Read more