The Confederate troops, just off a cgreat win at Chancellorsville from 2 months earlier, decided to invade the North for a second time. The main strategy of this invasion was to draw the Army of the Potomac away from Southern soil, and get them out in the open, where it coudl be destroyed. Upon destruction, a letter would be placed on the desk of Abraham Lincoln asking to recognize the existance of the Confederate States of America. This battle would have a great effect on the war in one way or another. Having his Army spread out, Lee needed a place to converge his troops. He ordered them to head towards the little town of Gettysburg due to its many roads.
Early morning of June 31st, Confederate General Heth had heard that there were stocks of shoes in the small town of Gettysburg ahead. He politely asked his supperiors if he could run up ahead and get the shoes. Later, The Union General John Buford was leading his cavalry west of the little town of Gettysburg, along what is now called Buford avenue(At the time, Chambersberg Pike). Upon stumbling upon Confederate brigades heading up Chambersburg Pike, Buford discussed with his aids and officers as to what to do. He was afraid that by letting them come into the town, he would be offering the high grounds of the hills of Gettysburg to the Confederate forces, which would deprive he Union troops of the high ground, and give the South an awesome advantage. He decided that in the morning he would make a stand and try to hold the confederate troops long enough for Union rienforcements to arrive. That night he wrote a letter to General John Reynolds. In this letter, he told Reynolds his intentions to hold while he waited for Reynolds division to arrive.