The Aftermath

After losing Pickett's Charge, the south retreated in the rain on July 4, 1863. This was also the day the battle of Vicksburg was won by the Union. Things were looking better for the Union. In the pouring rain the south had to take away the wounded and tired soldiers. General Meade didn't want to follow the southern army right away, which was a terrible mistake. So, President Lincoln discharged him, because if Meade had followed and got to Lee, he could have made Lee surrender. The war would be over when one of the generals surrendered to the other.

In 1865 the Civil War ended and the Union had won. Soon, many monuments were erected in Gettysburg, a reminder of the terrible, yet fascinating events that had taken place there.