The Battle of Gettysburg was "one of the deadliest battles ever fought on North American soil" (Internet Resource 4). More soldiers fought and died in the Gettysburg Battle than in any other battle in America. There were "more than 2,000 land engagements of the Civil War" (Internet Resource 4), but Gettysburg ranks supreme. Although the Battle of Gettysburg did not end the war, nor did it start the Civil War, it still remains the most important battle of the war. .
The Confederate army carried Generals and Commanders far more experienced and enhanced when compared to that of the Union. John Buford was the commanding officer for the Northern union at Gettysburg. Within six months of his having played a key role in the opening of the battle of Gettysburg, John Buford died from typhoid fever. Robert E. Lee was the great, powerful Southern confederate General and he decided to move the war north. He planned to obliterate the railroad bridge at Harrisburg, then "turn my attention to Philadelphia, Baltimore, or Washington as may seem best for our interest."(Internet Resource 4) After the extensive march north, Confederate troops were spread out all the way from Chambersburg, through Carlisle, and into York. Towns across southern Pennsylvania were being "explored"(Internet resource 4) for greatly needed supplies to carry on the Southern offensive. While looking in Gettysburg, Pettigrew's brigade looked around and eventually found Buford's cavalry on the ridge one mile west of the town. .
The Battle of Gettysburg began after that sight on July 1-3, 1863 when Confederate troops attacked the Union cavalry division on McPherson Ridge, just west of town. Out-numbered, the Union forces managed to hold, and even force the Confederate troops back, after the much needed addition of John Reynold's infantry division. They triumphed until late afternoon, when they were overwhelmed by supplementary southern troops, and driven all the way back through town.