Gettysburg And The Civil War Essay

Civil War: Gettysburg In 1861 the American Civil War was just beginning its bloody four year journey. The Civil War began due to the differences between states against and for African American slavery. The southern states seceded from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America. The northern states came to be known as the Union. (Civil War Trust) During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln was the President of the United States. Not only was Lincoln President during this, he was also the Commander-in-Chief for the Union forces. Ulysses S. Grant was the leader of the Union forces. Grant attended Military Academy at West Point, New York. (Leaders of the Civil War) Jefferson Davis was the President of the Confederate States of America. Davis was also the Commander-in-Chief of the Confederate forces. Davis, just like Grant,

The south’s objective was to engage the Union and destroy them. The union army defended low ridges on the northwest side of the town and were being reinforced with two corps of Union infantry. Two large Confederate corps attacked the Union from the northwest and north which resulting in collapsing the union line, sending defenders through the town of Gettysburg to the hills on the south. One the second day of the battle, both armies have been assembled. The Union’s defensive formation what in the shape of a hook, waiting for the Confederate to attack. On July 2nd, Lee launched an assault on the Union’s left flank, and fierce fighting broke out on Little Round Top, the Wheatfield, Devil’s Den, and the Peach Orchard. Confederate attacks escalated into intense assaults on Culp’s Hill and Cemetery Hill. Among all the fighting, the union was able to hold up their lines. On July 3rd, the fighting continued on Culp’s Hill and slowly the battle moved towards the east and south. Also on July 3rd, the dramatic event, Pickett’s Charge, took place. (Battle of