The Battle of Gettysburg was a 3 day battle between the Union (north) and the Confederates (south). This battle was primarily fought over economic and social differences, slaves, state vs. federal rights, and the election of Lincoln.
When & Where it Took Place
- Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
- 3 day battle starting on July 1, 1863 and ending on July 3, 1863
Countries/Groups of People Involved
- Union (north)- 93,921 troops
- Confederate (south)- 71,699 troops
- Total forces engaged- 165,620
Major Leaders Involved
- Union
John Buford- He was ultimately the man who set the stage for the start of Gettysburg because his troops fought the confederates the night before the battle and they stayed in the area over night.
Daniel Sickles- Sickles lost most of his corps and a leg at Gettysburg, but was compensated for his loss with the Congressional Medal of Honor. As a congressman in 1894, Sickles would sponsor the bill that made the battlefield a national park.
Winfield Hancock- The general on July 2 and played a prominent role in sending troops to threatened areas. He nearly lost his life while directing troops against Pickett's Virginians on July 3rd.
Joshua Chamberlain- The 20th Maine held on under Chamberlain's desperate guidance, which eventually contributed to the Union victory at Little Round Top on July 2. Chamberlain miraculously escaped serious injury during the fighting.
- Confederate
James Longstreet- This general was in charge of the main Southern attack on the last day of the battle, that failed miserably. The events at Gettysburg would haunt him until the end of his life.
A.P. Hill- His troops fought on July 2, and he sent the better part of two divisions into the grand assault on July 3, also known as "Pickett's Charge". General Hill did not survive the war.
George Pickett- His name is forever associated with the third and final day of the battle and the attack against the Union center, known as "Pickett's Charge", that failed miserably.
Causes
- Economic and Social Differences between the North and the South- The South was based on the plantation system while the North was focused on city life. This change in the North meant that society evolved as people of different cultures and classes had to work together. On the other hand, the South continued to hold onto an old fashioned social order, with whites and blacks not on the same level.
- State vs. Federal Rights- The big part of this was the idea of nullification, the states would have the right to rule federal acts unconstitutional. The federal government denied states this right. However, people such as John C. Calhoun fought for nullification. When nullification would not work states felt that they were no longer respected, they moved towards secession
- Slaves- The major problem with this was that as new states were becoming part of the country it was hard to keep the slave and free states equal. The Missouri Compromise worked for a while but as more and more states came in it was very hard to decide which type of state it would be, due to this many tensions evolved leading to war.
- Election of Lincoln- When Lincoln was elected in 1860, South Carolina issued its "Declaration of the Causes of Secession." They believed that Lincoln was anti-slavery and in favor of Northern interests.
Accessible Technology During War
- Bayonets
- Swords
- Revolvers
- Muskets- A well trained soldier could load and fire his musket 3 times a minute. The approximate firing distance was 100-150 yards.
- Spencer Repeating Rifles- Primarily used by cavalry troops
- Type 360 and 270 cannons- The cartridges used were hollow shells, musket balls, shrapnel, or canister rounds (Sort of like a shotgun shell with a bunch of BB's)
- Their Fighting style was shoulder to shoulder, in a 2 rank line
Outcomes/Casulties of Battle
- Union (north) victory
- Total Casualties- 51,112
- Union-
- 14,529 wounded
- 5,365 missing and captured
- Confederate-
- 18,735 wounded
- 5,425 missing and captured
Effects of Battle
- The country is still together- This was primarily the biggest effect of the war, because if the confederates won it would be a completely different story. However since the north won the country was able to stay in tact, although tension from the south was still there.
- Slavery was abolished- Since the north won and they were anti-slavery it allowed the slaves to be free.