Background
The Battle of Gettysburg resulted from General Robert E Lee's decision to invade the North for a second time. His first attempt to invade the north had ended in the Battle of Antietam, where the Confederate forces were repelled.
Lee had just defeated Union forces at the Battle of Chancellorsville, so he was confident that such a move would upset Union plans for the summer campaigning season and possibly reduce the pressure on the Confederate garrison at Vicksburg. The invasion would allow the Confederates to live off of Northern farms while also stopping Union forces from looting in Virginia. In addition, Lee's hoped that his 72,000-man army could threaten Philadelphia and Washington DC and possibly strengthen resistance to the war in the North.
Lee's army, the Army of Northern Virginia, had been unbeatable in recent battles, and the Union army, the Army of the Potomac, had suffered defeat a Chancellorsville just before Gettysburg. More defeats could bring the Union to settle for peace, but a Union victory would break the morale of Lee's troops and bring the war back into Virginia.
Lee had just defeated Union forces at the Battle of Chancellorsville, so he was confident that such a move would upset Union plans for the summer campaigning season and possibly reduce the pressure on the Confederate garrison at Vicksburg. The invasion would allow the Confederates to live off of Northern farms while also stopping Union forces from looting in Virginia. In addition, Lee's hoped that his 72,000-man army could threaten Philadelphia and Washington DC and possibly strengthen resistance to the war in the North.
Lee's army, the Army of Northern Virginia, had been unbeatable in recent battles, and the Union army, the Army of the Potomac, had suffered defeat a Chancellorsville just before Gettysburg. More defeats could bring the Union to settle for peace, but a Union victory would break the morale of Lee's troops and bring the war back into Virginia.
Movement to the Battle
Lee had split his forces into three corps in order to remain more efficient. Lt. Gen. James Longstreet was in command of his First Corps. The Stonewall Jackson's Corps was divided in two, with the Second Corps going to Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell and the new Third Corps to Lt. Gen. A.P. Hill. The Cavalry Division was commanded by Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart. To carry out his plan of invading the North, Lee shifted his troops to Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Army of Northern Virginia was just across the Potomac River, ready to cross into Maryland. On June 26, Southern forces occupied the town of Gettysburg.
Learning of the Confederate threat in Gettysburg, Meade's forces crossed the Potomac River on June 29. Meanwhile, he sent patrols to look for supplies. One June 30th, Southern platoon saw a Union cavalry patrol, and reported back to Lee in Gettysburg. General A.P. Hill decided to mount an offensive reconnaissance on the Union forces, and engaged the Union forces.
Learning of the Confederate threat in Gettysburg, Meade's forces crossed the Potomac River on June 29. Meanwhile, he sent patrols to look for supplies. One June 30th, Southern platoon saw a Union cavalry patrol, and reported back to Lee in Gettysburg. General A.P. Hill decided to mount an offensive reconnaissance on the Union forces, and engaged the Union forces.