The Battle of Gettysburge Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Battle of Gettysburge - Research Paper Example Two divisions of Confederates advanced to Gettysburg on July 1, running west of the town into Federal cavalry and thus starting the skirmish. While the Union’s men were less than 20,000, Lee sent 25,000 men for the battle. After the pushed back Federals regrouped south of the town, Lee ordered Confederate General R.S. Eswell to take measures to sieze the high ground to deter the Federals. The hesitation by General Eswell provided the Union troops with an opportunity to bring in reinforcements and artillery by digging in along the Cemetery Ridge, thus waiving the opportunity for Lee. Meade anticipated increased defense for his position with the arrival of 100,000 men’s reinforcements. Confederate General James Longstreet suggested Lee to leave the Union position alone, considering it nearly impregnable. But Lee believed in the invincibility of his own army and was without cavalry which was of immense help to him during the troop movements. Considering the southern end of the Cemetery Ridge less well defended, Lee resolved to attack the defensive position of the Union Army there. While Lee had ordered General Longstreet to attack on July 2 on 10 a.m., Longstreet did not commence the attack until 4 p.m. This delay further strengthened the position of the Union Army (Soodalter, 2013). The fighting in which some ground was lost by the Federals but maintained a strong defense along the Cemetery Ridge ended around 10:30 p.m. Planning for the next day, Meade decided to wait for attack by Lee, keeping his army in place. Against the suggestion of Longstreet, Lee decided to attack the Union soldiers, considering them battered and almost beaten. Lee tried to gamble the victory of the Battle of Gettysburg by launching the attack from the Union line’s center the next day along the Cemetery Ridge where the attack was expected the least. But the Union cannons undermined the timetable of Lee, pounding the Rebels on Culp’s Hill. This battle ended