140 likes | 278 Views
Gettysburg: Day 1. July 1, 1863. Objectives. Learn why Lee inaded the North again. Learn why the battle took place at Gettysburg. Learn what events took place July 1, 1863. Lee’s Invasion.
E N D
Gettysburg: Day 1 July 1, 1863
Objectives • Learn why Lee inaded the North again. • Learn why the battle took place at Gettysburg. • Learn what events took place July 1, 1863.
Lee’s Invasion After the victory at Chancellorsville, Lee looked to invade the North again, gain a decisive victory on northern soil, and force the Union to sue for peace. Lee moved north using the mountains to mask his movements.
George Gordon Meade On June 28, 1863, Lincoln replaced Joe Hooker with George Gordon Meade. Described as a “goggle-eyed snapping turtle”, Meade followed Lee keeping his army between Lee’s and Washington D.C.
June 30 Rumors of shoes being in Gettysburg sent a Confederate patrol into the southern Pennsylvania town of Gettysburg. Henry Heth sent a patrol into town, but they turned back when they saw the dust clouds from Union cavalry.
John Buford General John Buford spotted the confederate patrol and set up a defensive position near what is now Gettysburg College west of town. He then sent riders out in all directions to find the Army of the Potomac.
Heth Advances Early in the morning of July 1, Heth went forward to raid the town and gather shoes for the army. Buford’s force of 2,800 faced over 7,000 confederates.
John Reynolds The I Corps commanded by General John Reynolds, a native Pennsylvanian, arrived in time to halt the southerners. As his men were clearing a patch of woods, a sniper struck down General Reynolds. Abner Doubleday became the commander at Gettysburg.
Howard Takes Command Soon after Doubleday took command, Oliver Howard arrived. Since he was senior in rank, he took command and more federal troops were thrown into the battle.
Hancock Takes Command When Meade heard of Reynolds’ death, he sent General Winfield Scott Hancock to command the battle until he could arrive. When Hancock arrived with his orders, there was an awkward moment because Howard was senior to Hancock.
Ewell’s Misinterpretation Throughout the day both sides sent forward more and more men. General Lee told General Richard Ewell to take Culp’s Hill “if practicable”. Jackson would have known this meant “take that hill”. Instead he did not and the Union was able to fortify the position anchoring the line of defense.
Union Lines During the day and night of July first, Union troops had swelled in number to over 50,000. They had occupied the hills and ridges south and east of town. It had been a successful day for the South, driving the Union from Gettysburg.
Meade’s Decision Meade arrived at Gettysburg around midnight. After a council of war, Meade made the decision that this was where he would stand and fight.