Abraham Lincoln once said, “We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.” Lincoln credited the fifty one thousand soldiers that lost their lives in both the Union and Confederate armies. This devastating conflict is known as The Battle of Gettysburg. The prominent encounter not only forever changed Gettysburg, but also America. The town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania hosted a three day bloody battle that turned the tide of the Civil War. Indeed, the famed Battle of Gettysburg took place in the little town known as Gettysburg in Adams County. As reported by Gettysburgfoundation.org, the first steps toward The Battle of Gettysburg started …show more content…
Soon after July 3rd , he gathered up his troops. Lee led his army on a torturous retreat back to Virginia (Civilwar.org). The Confederates evacuated the North knowing they could not beat the Union. Although the battlefield was clear of any fighting, many lifeless bodies remained. As of previous battles, thousands of Union soldiers killed were quickly buried, many in poorly marked graves (History.com). Many people wanted to commemorate the many lives lost in those three days. In the month’s that followed, local attorney David Wills spearheaded efforts to create a national cemetery at Gettysburg (History.com). Of course, Lincoln was asked to attend and speak at the dedication of the cemetery. When he received the invitation to make the remarks at Gettysburg, Lincoln saw an opportunity to make a broad statement to the American people on the enormous significance of the war, and he prepared carefully (History.com). The streets swarmed with people from all sections of the Union (Carmichael 51). The notable speech he gave that day is called the Gettysburg Address. Two years after Lincoln’s famous speech, Lee surrendered to the Union army. As reported by Americancivilwar.com, negotiations began between General Robert E. Lee and General Ulysses S. Grant in the McLean House near the Appomattox Court House, and the the terms of surrender were agreed upon. As a result, the American Civil War finally ended after four long