Grade 2 The U.S. Civil War Lesson 7

The Battle of Gettysburg: A Turning Point in the Civil War

The Destruction Surrounding Gettysburg

• The aftermath of two days of fighting left the cornfields around Gettysburg devastated, with little evidence of crops remaining.

• Pastures were trampled into mud, and many trees lost their leaves or were destroyed by cannon fire, creating a wasteland.

General Robert E. Lee's Leadership

• At midnight on July 3, 1863, General Robert E. Lee was inside a farmhouse studying battle maps while Confederate officers awaited his orders outside.

• Despite being only 56 years old, Lee appeared frail due to constant war stress; soldiers revered him as a father figure and called him "the old man."

• Lee had a distinguished military background but faced moral conflict over Virginia's secession from the Union and initially refused to lead Confederate forces.

Decision to Command the Confederacy

• After Virginia seceded, Lee felt compelled to join the Confederacy despite his loyalty to the U.S., becoming commander of the Army of Northern Virginia.

• His leadership led to several victories prior to Gettysburg but resulted in significant casualties without an end in sight for the war.

Strategic Decisions at Gettysburg

• Major Venable reported difficulties faced by Confederate generals during battles; Lee decided on a bold strategy to attack Cemetery Ridge directly.

• He aimed to divide Union forces and boost Southern morale by leading an assault against higher ground held by Union troops.

The Outcome of Pickett's Charge

• On July 3rd, Lee ordered General Pickett to execute a charge across open fields towards Union lines; this move became known as Pickett's Charge and ended disastrously for the Confederates.

• Half of Pickett’s men were either killed or captured during this pivotal moment, resulting in a decisive Union victory at Gettysburg and forcing Lee’s retreat back to Virginia.

Aftermath and Significance

• The day following the battle coincided with Independence Day (July 4th), yet celebrations were muted due to heavy losses on both sides during three days of intense fighting at Gettysburg.