Battle of Gettysburg and Union Essay Example
Battle of Gettysburg and Union Essay Example

Battle of Gettysburg and Union Essay Example

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  • Pages: 7 (1892 words)
  • Published: August 22, 2018
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The Battle of Gettysburg occurred in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania from July 1st-3rd, 1863 and is recognized as a crucial moment in the American Civil War. It is widely considered to be the most important fight of this war. The significance of Gettysburg lies in its depiction of a clash between the North and South, which represented the two primary cultures in America during that period. The Confederate states were characterized by an agricultural economy and large plantations owned by wealthy white men. Their production of tobacco, corn, and cotton played a significant role.

These landowners relied on the work of sharecroppers and slaves, imposing high fees for land use. The Confederate Army, composed primarily of white men, sought independence from the federal government's control. In contrast, the Northern economy centered around manufacturing and even the minority populations in the North generally enjoyed greater prosperit

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y than their counterparts in the South. Northern politicians advocated for tariffs and a strong military force, while Southern plantation owners desired the opposite approach.

The South was engaged in a conflict with the government due to perceived unfair treatment. A scrutiny of the Battle of Gettysburg demonstrates that one issue causing tension between the Union and the Confederacy was the imposition of unjust taxes and the existence of slavery. This historic battle commenced on July 1, 1863, when the Confederate cavalry encountered the Union horsemen. Subsequently, both sides summoned reinforcements. The Confederates' reinforcements arrived before the Union's, effectively doubling their numbers.

Shortly after the arrival of Union General John Reynolds, he was fatally shot in the head from behind, leading to his immediate death. The Confederates successfully pushed the Union forces southwards. Both sides prepared

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for battle and patiently waited until the second day. The thrilling encounter commenced on July 2, 1863.

150,000 soldiers from both the Union and Confederate armies assembled in a Pennsylvania town in the morning. The Confederates took their place on Seminary Ridge to the west of Emmetsburg Road. In contrast, the Union troops waited on Cemetery Ridge, which had a slight elevation advantage.

On the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, the Union emerged as the overall victor. Several significant events unfolded during this day, including the Battle of Little Round Top, Battle of Devil’s Den, Battle of the Wheatfield, Battle of the Peach Orchard, and the Battle of Cemetery Hill. The casualties resulting from the entire battle were immense and surpassed those of any other war. Specifically on day two alone, there were 8,750 casualties for the Union and 6,500 for the Confederacy. It is worth noting that one remarkable occurrence on this day was a Confederate victory in Devil's Den—a rare outcome in this conflict.

The area known as Devil’s Den, located south of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and west of Little Round Top on the Battle of Gettysburg battlefield, is a ridge scattered with large boulders. It is uncertain how the name originated. During the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863, Devil’s Den became a site of intense fighting. This occurred as part of General Robert E. Lee’s flank attacks when Lieutenant General James Longstreet’s Confederate corps launched an assault on Major General Daniel Sickles’ III Corps of the Army of the Potomac. Ultimately, around 5,500 Confederates from Major General John Bell Hood’s division captured Devil’s Den from approximately 2,400 defenders belonging to Major General

David Bell Birney’s division.

One of the rare triumphs for the Southern forces during the day's combat was the Battle of Gettysburg. The casualties numbered over 800 for the Union and more than 1,800 for the Confederates. The significance of this event goes beyond the casualties, as Major General John Bell Hood, who was wounded, had to relinquish his command. The Battle of Gettysburg took place in two main locations known as Little and Big Round Top.

Little Round Top, also known locally as Sugar Loaf, is the smaller of the two hills situated between Taneytown and Emmetsburg roads. Major General Governor K.

Warren, the chief engineer of the Army of the Potomac, swiftly deployed troops to Little Round Top, who arrived just moments before the Confederates. During the latter part of the battle, the 20th Maine Regiment launched a successful charge, effectively thwarting the 15th Alabama's attempt to flank. In the end, the Union emerged victorious at Little Round Top. The battle's concluding day was on July 3, 1863. Both the Confederates and Union had strategies in place to secure victory. Robert E.

Lee, from the Confederate side, proposed the idea of charging into the middle of the Union line and dividing it into two. Despite Major General George Pickett's belief that this plan would fail, Robert E. Lee insisted that they proceed with the charge.

Major Picket carried out the orders called Pickett's Charge, which happened on the Gettysburg battlefield in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, General Slocum launched an attack on Confederate troops at Culp's Hill to reclaim the territory they had lost the day before. This battle lasted for a duration of 8 hours and ultimately compelled the

Confederates to withdraw from Culp's Hill.

(Gettysburg Day Three) Ultimately, the Union emerged as the victor. Culp’s Hill, situated on the right side of the "fishhook" line established by Union Army soldiers during the Battle of Gettysburg, witnessed continuous fighting throughout the three-day battle. It consists of two rounded peaks separated by a narrow saddle. Despite being densely wooded and unsuitable for artillery placement, the main peak of Culp’s Hill stands significantly higher than the surrounding terrain, approximately 200 feet above Gettysburg and 127 feet taller than Cemetery Hill. Culp’s Hill played a crucial role in Union strategy due to its proximity to Baltimore Pike, a vital supply route for the Union Army, and its ability to prevent Confederate advancement towards Baltimore or Washington, DC to the east. Additionally, Confederate forces approaching from Rock Creek in the west posed further importance to Culp’s Hill.

"The Union had two main locations during the three-day battle. One of them was Cemetery Hill, where the Army's weaponry was stationed. This hill is located north of Cemetery Ridge. The defense of the Union line starts to curve eastward, forming a "fishhook" shape that extends to Culp's Hill. Another significant location for the Union was Cemetery Ridge, which stretches for about two miles and stands 40 feet above the surrounding land."

The Confederate Army launched multiple attacks on the Union at Cemetery Ridge. These attacks occurred on both day two and day three, but in each instance, they were unsuccessful and forced to retreat. On November 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered a renowned speech known as The Gettysburg Address, which served as a commemoration of the Soldier’s National Cemetery.

The Soldier’s National Cemetery

serves as the burial ground for Union soldiers who died during the Battle of Gettysburg. The speech delivered at the cemetery emphasizes the significance of the nation's founding principles and reflects on the ongoing civil war that tests the sustainability of these ideals. The ceremony takes place on a crucial battleground of the war, where a section of the field is dedicated as a final resting place for those who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve the nation. Performing this act is both appropriate and necessary.

But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate — we cannot consecrate — we cannot hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.

"It is our duty to remain here, dedicated to the important task that lies ahead of us. We must draw inspiration from these respected individuals who sacrificed their lives for the cause they deeply believed in. We firmly pledge that their deaths will not be meaningless. Our nation, under God, will experience a rebirth of freedom and the system of government created by the people, for the people, shall endure." (Gettysburg Address Text)

Edward Everett was the main speaker at night and delivered a two-hour speech entirely from memory. Ultimately, the Union emerged victorious in the Battle of Gettysburg.

The war did not directly result in

the end of slavery, but it did play a role in its eventual abolition. Slavery remained legal until 1865 when the 13th amendment was ratified following the conclusion of the war. However, the war had wider motivations besides slavery, which included financial considerations like taxation. President Lincoln implemented higher taxes to obtain extra funds for the government. Ultimately, the Battle of Gettysburg was the deadliest conflict with the highest number of casualties.

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