Robert E. Lee crossed the Potomac River June 24, 1863, getting closer to Gettysburg. He finally arrived there on July 1, 1863. For the Union, it was important to hold Gettysburg because of all the roads and the railroads. Stonewall Jackson died in the last big battle, so General Richard Ewell took his position. Robert E. Lee ordered General Richard Ewell to charge at The Union on the top of a hill. Ewell backed down because he saw The Union’s artillery.

The Union’s main goal was defense. The Union Army was defending with the “Fish Hook”, a defense that won the battle for the Union. In the fish hook, the army forms a line in the shape of a fish hook.

The 13,000 Rebels charged at the Union Army because they thought that the Union artillery was knocked out, but the Union Army tricked them into thinking that the artillery was out, and they opened fire. Not even half of the Rebels made it back to their lines.

Robert E. Lee decided that one quarter of his army dead was enough. Robert E. Lee retreated July 4, 1863. Less than two years later the Civil War was over and the Union Army had won. This war was supposed to be short and easy but it turned into a long and bloody war. After the Battle of Gettysburg, the bloodiest war in American history was over