Gettysburg was a town in Pennsylvania where the largest deaths were recorded during the American Civil war, many even say this was the turning point of the war. The battle was fought July 1-3 in 1863 between the Union and the Confederates. Robert E. Lee lead the confederate into battle with the union lead by George Mead. George Mead ended up defeating Georges attacking ending Robert E. Lees advances north.
On the first day of battle the Union, anticipating the attack of the confederates, laid out defences on three different ridges around the outskirts of Gettysburg. Around 7:30 on July 1st both the armies met and it is said that the first shot was fired by a Union member by the name of Marcellus Jones. ( After the battle Marcellus Jones lived, and in 1888 he returned and marked the spot he fired the first shot). Although not everyone from each army fought that day it was a very large battle and many lives were lost.
After the battle the total lives lost totaled over 45,000 people. The union lost 23,000 and the confederates lost 28,000. The confederates ended up retreating and heading back south.
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