The Battle of Gettysburg
-Mark G.The Battle
This is from The Timechart History of the Civil War, like the information on General Meade.
"Lee, Robert Edward--Born January 19, 1807, at Stratford, Virginia, to a distinguished military family, and when he married (July 5, 1831) the great-granddaughter of Martha Washington he confirmed his position as one of the aristocrats of the U.S. Graduated second in his class at West Point (1829), he gained a high reputation as an engineer and served with great distinction throughout the Mexican War (1846-8). Superintendent at West Point (1852-5), then promoted colonel commanding 2nd Cavalry (1855), he commanded the troops who captured John Brown at Harpers Ferry (October 1859). At the outbreak of the Civil War he was invited to command the Union army, but resigned to go with his native state, Virginia. Appointed military advisor to President Davis, he was defeated at Cheat Mountain (September 1861), but replaced Joseph Johnston when the latter was wounded
at Seven Pines (May 31 to June 1, 1862). Though initially not well regarded by his troops (he was known as "Granny Lee") he quickly became very popular as he lef the Army of Northern Virginia to a series of
spectacular victories, driving back McClellan during the Seven Days (June - July 1862) and winning at Second Bull Run (August 1862), Fredericksburg (December 1862) and Chancellorsville (May 1863),
though he was less successful when he invaded the North, being forced to withdraw at Antietam (September 1862) and decisively defeated at Gettysburg (July 1863). He skillfully held off Grant's attacks from the Wilderness to Cold Harbor (May - June 1864) but his lines stretched too thin at Petersburg and when Grant outflanked him at Five Forks (March 1865) he retreated to Appomattox Court House
where he surrendered (April 9, 1865). He became president of Washington College (September 1865) and died there (October 12, 1870). Personally brave,
inspiring immense loyalty, he acted quickly whenever neccessary and was prepared to take risks in the face of the enemy that often resulted in great victories.
Lee is now recognized as one of the great generals of military history."
The Union
The Confederacy