Civil War – Battle of Gettysburg

July 1, 1863

The Battle of Gettysburg marked the beginning of the end of the war for the South. Confederate General Robert E. Lee had marched his men into Pennsylvania where he was met by Union General George G. Meade at Gettysburg. Before the battle ended on July 3rd, each side would lose more than 3,000 men. This was the deadliest battle of the war. Union casualties were 23,055 (3,155 killed, 14,531 wounded, 5,369 captured or missing), while Confederate casualties are estimated as 23,231 (4,708 killed, 12,693 wounded, 5,830 captured or missing). Nearly a third of Lee’s general officers were killed, wounded, or captured. After his defeat, Lee offered his resignation to Confederate President Jefferson Davis, but was refused.