A* summary of the Battle of Gettysburg for AQA A Level History students studying America (the American Civil War.) Written by a student now studying at Oxford University. Following this summary will guarantee you the top marks.
Battle of Gettysburg
Background
-Lee was convinced that only victories on Northern soil would force Lincoln to accept Northern independence.
-Insisted on an invasion of Pennsylvania.
-Mid-June: Lee began to advance northwards. Hooker tried to follow Lee but had little idea of where he was
heading.
-28th June: Lincoln replaced Hooker with General Meade.
-1st July: rebel soldiers stumbled upon Union troops at Gettysburg. Lee and Meade order their forces to
converge, starting the Battle of Gettysburg.
Before the Battle
-3rd June: Lee leads his troops north in his second invasion of enemy territory. The 75,000-man army of
Northern Virginia is in high spirits. They look forward to availing themselves of food from the bountiful fields in
Pennsylvania farm country, for sustenance the landscape of Virginia can no longer provide.
-Hooker also heads North but is reluctant to engage after the humiliating defeat at Chancellorsville. He is then
relieved of command.
-His successor, Meade, moves the 90,000 army of Potomac north, following orders to keep his army between
Lee and Washington.
-He is prepared to defend routes to the nation’s capital, but also pursue Lee if necessary.
-15th June: 3 corps of Lee’s army cross the Potomac.
-28th June: they reach Pennsylvania.
-Lee loses precious time awaiting intelligence on Union troop positions from his cavalry commander Stuart. A
spy informs him Meade is very close.
-Lee orders his army to Gettysburg.
Day 1
-Confederate win.
-Union troops retreated to two hills. If the Confederacy had pushed home their attack they may have
triumphed.
-Meade’s 85,000 army was strongly positioned on the hills south and east of Gettysburg.
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