On June 3rd, 1863, General Robert E. Lee left Fredricksburg through the Shenandoah Valley to invade Pennysylvania with about 71,699 troops so he can turn the war around for the South. He wanted to attack the North and relieve pressure on Virginia (given he was a Virginian). He wanted European countries to recognize the Confederacy as seperate from the Unon, crush and challenge the North, and force President Lincoln to sue for peace with the South.
The Union realized he was coming and Union soldiers defended with 93,921 soldiers at Fredrick , Maryland. Union General John Buford told General George G. Meade replaced General Joseph Hooker about Lee's location. With Lee coming and the Union ready to fight, this was going to be a bloody day.
June 3rd 1863
Dia: 2
On 8 a.m. July 1, 1863 near the location for McPherson Ridge the United States army confronted Lee and his army when Lee launched both assaults on the Union from the northwest and north, breaking through the defense of the Union and sending there army to the high ground of Gettysburg. The Confederate army already lost many soldiers, which were going to decrease by much more the next day.
On 8 a.m. July 1, 1863 near the location for McPherson Ridge as the United States Calvary confronted Lee and his army that they were on Union territory heavy fighting started south and north of the town of Gettysburg as backup came from both sides. Lt. Marcellus Jones took the first shot in which they were outnumbered, so they fled to the high ground south Gettysburg.
July 1, 1863
FIRE!
Dia: 3
On the afternoon of July 2, 1863 General Lee launched a heavy assault on the Union's army with 27,000 soldiers which was lead by Lieut. He wanted initial success by doing multiple attacks on strategic Union locations such as Little Round Top, Devil's Den, the Wheatfield, and the Peach Orchard. None of these attacks were successful and about 46,000-51,000 soldiers were killed, missing, captured or wounded for the Confederate army during the chaos on day two of the Gettysburg Campain.
July 2, 1863
ATTACK!
On July 2, 1863 the Union successfully defended against the Confederate Army's attack on Little Round Top and the Peach Orchard. The Union's strategic plan was to deploy against a curve of hills and ridges south of Gettysburg. This resembled a fishhook shape, and enabled the soldiers to defend the Confederate army's attacks. The casualties for the Union army were about 20,000 less than the Confederates with just 20,000 solider either, killed, captured, wounded, or missing.