On July 1, 1863, at 8:00 A.M., a Union cavalry brigade commanded by Major John Buford found out that 2 brigades of Confederate troops were advancing to Cashtown Road. Major General Harry Heth commanded these troops. On this warm, solemn morning two formidable armies clashed at McPherson's Ridge.

The Union army was fiercely outnumbered, however they possessed superior firepower. The men dismounted their horses and used Spencer repeating Carbines that fired 8 shots per minute compared to the Confederates 3 shots per minute. The Union Army barely and stubbornly held there ground due to better firepower. The Confederates and the Union fought bravely for 2 long hours disrupting the peace of the morning.

Soon both sides needed reinforcements. General Reynolds and Meredith arrived with the First Brigade of the First Division of the First Corp and with Cutler's Second Brigade. Soon after the arrival of General Reynolds, a Confederate sharpshooter killed him. General Doubleday assumed command.

Heth sent two more brigades to attack because he felt the Union's defense line was vulnerable. Joseph Davis commanded the two Confederate brigades attacked the Union forces. General Doubleday counterattacked with the First Brigade of the First Division of the First Corp and drove back the Confederates to Herr Ridge. Buford's men covered the flanks on McPherson's Ridge. When Major General Howard arrived to reinforce the Union defense he positioned a reserve army on Cemetery Hill. Hill's strategy was to delay the rebels until more Union forces could arrive and support the defense. Davis' forces then attacked Cutler's brigade and drove themselves into a valley, which was thought to lead to the Union rear. The valley turned out to be just and unfinished railroad and 250 confederates were forced to surrender. Then at around 12:30, General Lee arrived and was attempting to avoid a major battle due to his ignorance of the strength of the Union Army. Then General Rodes of Confederate General Ewell's army arrived and attacked on the right of Oak Hill, which was defended by Iron Brigade or the I Corp. Meanwhile, General Meade at Taneytown sent Major Hancock and the second brigade to help defend Cemetery Hill and Mcpherson's Ridge. Around 2:00 p.m. Heth's divisions, joined the attack on the I Corp. At 3:00 p.m. the battle spread to Harrisburg Road and General Ewell destroyed the XI Corp. Then Confederate Major Pender relieved Heth and attacked I Corp at Seminary Ridge. By 4:00 p.m. the Federal forces retreated to Cemetary Hill a good high position. The iron brigade, the brigade fighting all day, had over 1,500 casualties. Also, at 2:00 p.m., General Rodes attacked Oak Hill and positioned his artillery there. He then sent Major Iverson and his brigade to drive out Union forces behind a stone wall. Iverson took 500 casualties, and 75% of his brigade surrendered. The Union captured over 1000 Confederate prisoners. That night General Lee commanded General Ewell to attack Culp's Hill because Lee felt it was vulnerable. Ewell hesitated and did not attack. Lee commanded that at dawn that Ewell attack Culp's Hill. Ewell felt he could take it at dawn. This time he would attack. The first day was a win for the Confederates and they hoped their good fighting would continue.

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