U
nion and Confederate soldiers fought for three days on the bloody fields of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. While the Union could call this battle a victory, nearly 8,000 Americans died. The enormous loss of life prompted President Lincoln to dedicate a cemetery at Gettysburg on November 19, 1863, and give his legendary Gettysburg Address. This Union victory, more than any other battle of the war, ended the Confederacy’s hopes for foreign aide and shattered General Lee’s image of invincibility.
Timeline
Location
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Major Events First Day: 7:30am
First shot by Lieutenant Marcellus Jones (Union)
Major Events First Day: 5:00pm
Confederates appear to have won the day
Major Events First Day: After midnight
Union General Meade arrives and decides to stay and fight
Major Events First Day: 10:30am
Major General John Reynolds shot and killed by a bullet. Major General Abner Doubleday takes command of the Union Force
Major Events First Day: 2:10pm
General Robert E. Lee arrives
Major Events First Day: 3:00pm
Confederate Major General Robert Rhode's division launches an attack. With five brigades, it's the largest division;
Union Casualties: Soldiers captured/missing
5,365
Union Casualties: Soldiers killed
3,155
Union Casualties: Soldiers wounded
14,530
Union Casualties: Total casualties
23,040
Union Casualties: Number of Soldiers
97,000
Confederate Casualties: Soldiers captured or missing
5,250
Confederate Casualties: Number of Soldiers
75,000
Confederate Casualties: Soldiers wounded
12,800
Confederate Casualties: Soldiers killed
2,600-4,500
Confederate Casualties: Total casualties
20,650-25,000
Major Events Third Day: 1:07pm
Confederates harden the attack on Cemetery Ridge. The Union side retaliates. There are almost two hours of cannon fire
Major Events Third Day: 4:00pm
The high water mark of the Confederacy is reached and the survivors retreat
Major Events Third Day: 1:00pm
Stuart leads his Confederate Calvary around to confront the Union rear, including Brigadier Gen. George Armstrong Custer
Major Events Third Day: Between 2:00pm and 3:00pm
Major General George E. Pickett leads Pickett's Charge.
Major Events Third Day: 4:30am
Union troops renew the fight at Culp's Hill. Attacks and counterattacks continue for nearly seven hours.
Major Events Third Day: 8:30am
20 year old Jenny Wade is shot by a stray bullet in her sister's kitchen. She is the only civilian killed in the war
Other: President Lincoln gives "Gettysburg Address"
Nov 19, 1863
Major Events Second Day: 7:00pm
In a desperate defensive position on Little Round Top, Chamberlain gives the order, "Bayonet!", and the Union men charge
Major Events Second Day: 8:00pm
Fighting between Brigadier Gen. Greene's brigade and Maj Gen. Johnson's division becomes intense across Cemetery Hill
Major Events Second Day: Overnight
In Meade's headquarters (Union), he takes a vote from his generals and they decide to stay and fight.
Major Events Second Day: 4:00pm
Longstreet's troops attack (Confederate); for the next 3 hours, a battle raged across Wheatfield.
Event
Battle of Gettysburg
From
Jul 1, 1863
To
Jul 3, 1863
Other Facts
Union
Major General George Gordon Meade
Confederate
General Robert E. Lee
Confederate
Maj. General George E. Pickett
Union
Brig. General Gouveneur K. Warren
Confederate
Lt. Gen. James Longstreet
Union
Gen. John F. Reynolds
Confederate
Lt. General Richard S. Ewell
