Day 1

In June 1863 Lee went into southern Pennsylvania. His forces grouped in a town called Gettysburg. Lee wasn't informed the Union soldiers were camped close by. Lee's troops ran into Meade's cavalry, making the Battle of Gettysburg happen. The battle began on July 1, 1863. The Confederate troops began to push the Union back through Gettysburg. Lee wanted to prevent the Union from establishing on Cemetery Ridge, so he ordered Ewell to attack right away. Ewell felt like that was a bad idea so he ended up giving the Federals time to establish a defensive position. General James Longstreet thought it was better to move east and set up camp.

Day 2

On July 2, Lee ordered an attack on the Union. The fighting got to be very intense on the south side of the hill. After a while the Union forced the Confederates to pull back from from Little Round Top. After that the Confederates attacked Cemetery Hill and Culp's Hill. The battling lasted until nightfall. The Union forces held a strong defensive position by the day's end. So you could say the Confederates were unsuccessful day 2.

Day 3

On the third day Longstreet tried to convince Lee not to attack but Lee thought the Union forces were ready to break. For over an hour the Confederates shelled Cemetery Ridge with cannon fire. The Union fired back with cannons. They then slacked off so the Confederates thought they had damaged the Union. As they went up Cemetery Ridge they were showered with cannons fires. They had many casualties but some of them almost reached their destinations. Soon the Confederates retreated. Leaving 7,500 casualties on the battlefield. Lee said it was his fault and then retreated back to Virginia in defeat.