Why did the Confederate Army originally go to the town of Gettysburg?

Why did the Confederate Army originally go to the town of Gettysburg?

On July 1, a Confederate division under General Henry Heth marched into Gettysburg hoping to seize supplies but finding instead three brigades of Union cavalry. Thus began the Battle of Gettysburg, and Lee and Meade ordered their massive armies to converge on the impromptu battle site.

What happened before the Battle of Gettysburg?

Two months prior to Gettysburg, Lee had dealt a stunning defeat to the Army of the Potomac at Chancellorsville, Virginia. He then made plans for a Northern invasion in order to relieve pressure on war-weary Virginia and to seize the initiative from the Yankees.

What happened to the town of Gettysburg after the battle?

Eventually, almost 2 years later in April 1865, the Confederate army surrendered their last army, resulting in the end of the Civil War. In terms of what happened locally after the battle ended, the town of Gettysburg was left with thousands of dead bodies to bury and even more soldiers that needed care.

Why is it sometimes said that the Battle of Gettysburg was started over shoes?

Myth 1: The Battle of Gettysburg was fought over shoes. There was no mention of shoes having anything to do with the Battle of Gettysburg until 14 years after it happened. Rather, roads took the armies to Gettysburg. It was difficult to travel through south-central Pennsylvania without passing through Gettysburg.

Why was the Gettysburg battle important?

The Battle of Gettysburg fought on July 1–3, 1863, was the turning point of the Civil War for one main reason: Robert E. Lee’s plan to invade the North and force an immediate end to the war failed. The collision of two great armies at Gettysburg put an end to that audacious plan.

What industry was Gettysburg known for before the Civil War?

Gettysburg was chosen as the county seat. By 1860, the town of Gettysburg had grown to 2,400 citizens. Ten roads lead into the town, creating a few small but thriving industries. Approximately 450 buildings housed carriage manufacturing, shoemakers, and tanneries as well as the usual merchants, banks and taverns.

How did the Battle of Gettysburg impact the United States?

Union victory. Gettysburg ended Confederate general Robert E. Lee’s ambitious second quest to invade the North and bring the Civil War to a swift end. The loss there dashed the hopes of the Confederate States of America to become an independent nation.

Did General Pettigrew go to Gettysburg to get shoes?

In 1877, Confederate General Henry Heth wrote, “Hearing that a supply of shoes was to be obtained in Gettysburg, eight miles distant from Cashtown, and greatly needing shoes for my men, I directed General Pettigrew to go to Gettysburg and get these supplies.” Problem is, there were no shoe factories anywhere near Gettysburg in 1863.

Was the Battle of Gettysburg really fought over shoes?

Myth 1: The Battle of Gettysburg was fought over shoes. There was no mention of shoes having anything to do with the Battle of Gettysburg until 14 years after it happened.

Why was it so hard to get to Gettysburg in 1863?

Problem is, there were no shoe factories anywhere near Gettysburg in 1863. Rather, roads took the armies to Gettysburg. It was difficult to travel through south-central Pennsylvania without passing through Gettysburg. Myth 2: The First Day was not a large battle.

Where did Lee decide to concentrate his forces at Gettysburg?

On June 29, when Lee learned that the Army of the Potomac had crossed the Potomac River, he ordered a concentration of his forces around Cashtown, located at the eastern base of South Mountain and eight miles (13 km) west of Gettysburg.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVguK4OohTU