Battle of Gettysburg - Day 1

The first day of the Battle of Gettysburg started when General Lee gathered his troops west of a small town called Gettysburg, unaware that Union troops were camped out closer to the same town. The two troops met in town when they were getting supplies and soon they started fighting, starting the Battle of Gettysburg. The Confederates pushed the Union troops back through the city. They regrouped along higher ground at Cemetery Ridge and Culp's Hill. General Lee ordered General Ewell to attack but he hesitated and that action gave the Union troops time to get into defense position. After observing this change, the Confederates camped at Seminary Ridge to prepare to attack the next day. Both sides called for their main forces to reinforce them.

Battle of Gettysburg - Day 2

One the second day, July 2, Lee ordered an attack on the left side of Union troops. He knew if he could get Little Round Top, they'd have a better chance of winning. The fighting was brutal, especially on the south side. Eventually, the Union forced the Confederates to pull back from the hill. The Confederates then attacked Cemetery Hill and Culp's Hill. The fight last well into the night. They were unsuccessful on Cemetery Hill and although they managed to take a few trenches on Culp's Hill, though the Union still held a much stronger defense.

Battle of Gettysburg - Day 3

On the third day, Lee thought the Union troops were battered and bruised so he planned to the center of the line in hopes it would be unexpected and catch them off-guard. The Confederates started by shelling Cemetery and when after while when the Union cannons stopped firing back they thought they had done serious damage, when in fact they had done pretty much nothing. So they sent three units up Cemetery Ridge in an assault that became known as Pickett's Charge. They suffered serious damage going up the ridge and once they reached there the Union were able to destroy the rebels quite easily. General Lee then ordered his troops to retreat after 7,500 deaths.