The Battle of Gettysburg began on July 1, 1863

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - One of the largest military conflicts in North American history began on July 1, 1863. According to the National Military Park Service, neither the Confederates or the Union soldiers had anticipated a battle at Gettysburg on that day.

General Robert E. Lee led his Confederate forces north to the Pennsylvania farmlands. He had reasoned that one or more decisive victories in the north would seek the United States government to negotiate peace. He was also hoping to find more supplies for his forces.

Union General George Gordon Meade had just taken command of the Army of the Potomac on June 28th. His advance units came into contact with Lee’s just outside of Gettysburg and on July 1 the battle began.

The first day Union forces were outnumbered. Confederates drove the Yankees back through town. At the end of the day, the Union troops were on the southeast edge of Gettysburg on high ground. The Confederates held the town of Gettysburg.

The battle would continue for three days. At the end, the Union soldiers had pushed the Confederates back to their original position.

The Battle of Gettysburg is considered significant because is shifted the momentum of the war. The defeat cost support for the Confederacy from Great Britain and France. The Rebels had hoped to get needed military and financial support from Europe.

It was also the bloodiest battle ever to be fought on American soil. More than 50,000 solders were either killed, wounded, or missing across three days.

Finally, it inspired President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. President Lincoln made the iconic speech as he dedicated the Soldier’s National Cemetery at the site of the battle. The address linked the Union cause to the preservation of human equality and democracy.