Gettysburg Battle History

A full appreciation of the town is not possible without a basic understanding of the Gettysburg battle history and where events took place. The fighting lasted only three days in July of 1863 yet the effects have been felt ever since.

Time since the battle ended on July 3, 1863 at 4pm:


Picture the scene:
The thunderous cannons firing between wild Rebel yells and Yankee shouts. The glimpse of a tattered flag though thick smoke. The warm blood of men and horses spread across the ground. Of the 165,000 soldiers (75,000 Confederate and 90,000 Union), 11,000 men died or were mortally wounded during the battle. Another 29,000 wounded men survived.

It's hard to imagine such a gruesome scene in the peaceful battlefields today, although you can come close in a reenactment. The movie Gettysburg shows the battle of Gettysburg in realistic detail.

Since the battle was such a defining event and what made this little country town famous, I will share the basics of what happened.

The Battle of Gettysburg Timeline
The battle of Gettysburg timeline gives a brief summary of everything from the events leading up to the battle to the aftermath.

Battle Maps of Gettysburg, Days 1-3
Visualize the big picture and key events in Gettysburg battle history with battlefield maps that show the Union and Confederate battlefield lines during this important Civil War battle.

Flags of the Civil War in Gettysburg Battle History
The flags of the Civil War came in a variety of shapes and colors. Gain a basic understanding of the colors and symbols used on both Union and Confederate flags.

The Gettysburg Address Text
Read the Gettysburg address text to learn about when, where, and why it was given as well as its meaning and impact.