The American Civil war had many battles and sieges that defined it, including Vicksburg, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Chickamauga, and Gettysburg. The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, is considered the most important engagement of the American Civil War because it held General Lee to the South. It is widely believed to be the turning point of the Civil war. If General Lee had won the battle for Gettysburg, it is very possible that our country would have been different from what we know it as today. Ironically, no one ever planned for Gettysburg to be the scene of such great historical significance. Per Major General Henry Heth’s reported dated Sept. 13, 1863, he ordered Brigadier General Pettigrew to take his brigade to Gettysburg, search the town for army supplies (shoes especially), and return the same day. On reaching the suburbs of Gettysburg, Gen. Pettigrew found a large force of Union cavalry near the town, supported by a Union infantry force. Under these circumstances, he returned as to Cashtown. On July 1, Heth headed towards Gettysburg and found the enemy near the town of Gettysburg in force. When General Lee learned of the Union Soldiers at Gettysburg General Lee order his Army to march to Gettysburg. General Lee ordered troop support and immediately determined that Cemetery …show more content…
It most certainly was a turning point for the Union Army. What most people do not know is that when the Battle of Gettysburg was taking place, the siege of Vicksburg was coming to a successful ending too. Winning Vicksburg enabled the Union to control the Mississippi River and the supply of Confederate forces out west. It too was truly a devastating defeat. With the combination of winning both engagements, the Union Army did in fact make a major turn in the American Civil War. The momentum was on the Union Army’s side and they eventually carried it to total