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The Battle of Gettysburg, which became the largest battle ever fought in the U.S., started out as a chance encounter between the Union and Confederate Forces.

After his victory at Chancellorsville in Virginia, Confederate commander Lee decided to focus on invading the North in what he called the Gettysburg Campaign. The plan was to try and get some leverage in the North by forcing Northern politicians to stop prosecuting the war. The invasion would also provide some relief to war-tired Virginia by taking advantage of bounty from the rich, Northern farms.

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When Lee advanced into Pennsylvania, his cavalry was absent on a raid, which is why he did not know that the Union army was already in Gettysburg. Both the Confederates and the Union were aiming for a certain road junction in Gettysburg, which led to a collision of the two armies. Determined to destroy the Union army, Lee decided to immediately concentrate his forces there, while the Union also kept sending reinforcements, resulting in a three-day battle.

 


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Cite This Article
"Why Did the Battle of Gettysburg Happen?" History on the Net
© 2000-2024, Salem Media.
March 27, 2024 <https://www.historyonthenet.com/why-did-the-battle-of-gettysburg-happen>
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