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'''The Battle of Gettysburg''' was the climax of the [[Gettysburg Campaign]], a decisive defeat for the [[Confederacy]] in the [[American Civil War]] from July 1 to July 3, 1863. General [[George Meade]] commanded the [[Union]] [[Army of the Potomac]] while General [[Robert E. Lee]] led the [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] Army of Northern Virginia.  This mere 3 days of fighting caused 51,000 casualties, the most of the War, wiping out 37% of the Confederate army and 27% of the Union's.  It was the largest military battle ever on American soil, involving more than 170,000 soldiers, and today is the most-visited Civil War site (2 million annually).<ref>http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/americas-national-parks-centennial-gettysburg-national-military-park/3348968.html</ref>  Making his famous [[Gettysburg Address]] at the battle site 4 months later, [[Abraham Lincoln]] converted to [[Christianity]]: "[i]n the days that followed, Abe Lincoln worshiped regularly at New York Avenue [[Presbyterian]] Church, not only on Sunday, but at the Wednesday evening prayer service as well."<ref>https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/abraham-lincoln-consecrated-to-christ-1184005.html</ref>

'''The Battle of Gettysburg''' was the climax of the [[Gettysburg Campaign]], a decisive defeat for the [[Confederacy]] in the [[American Civil War]] from July 1 to July 3, 1863. General [[George Meade]] commanded the [[Union]] [[Army of the Potomac]] while General [[Robert E. Lee]] led the [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] Army of Northern Virginia.  This mere 3 days of fighting caused 51,000 casualties, the most of the War, wiping out 37% of the Confederate army and 27% of the Union's.  It was the largest military battle ever on American soil, involving more than 170,000 soldiers, and today is the most-visited Civil War site (2 million annually).<ref>http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/americas-national-parks-centennial-gettysburg-national-military-park/3348968.html</ref>  Making his famous [[Gettysburg Address]] at the battle site 4 months later, [[Abraham Lincoln]] converted to [[Christianity]]: "[i]n the days that followed, Abe Lincoln worshiped regularly at New York Avenue [[Presbyterian]] Church, not only on Sunday, but at the Wednesday evening prayer service as well."<ref>https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/abraham-lincoln-consecrated-to-christ-1184005.html</ref>

Known simply as "Gettysburg", this unexpected epic battle included many strategic mistakes that have been studied and analyzed ever since.  Four months after the conflict, it was the site of the famous [[Gettysburg Address]], in which [[Abraham Lincoln]] inserted "under [[God]]" into his speech after "this Nation," and in 2016 it was the site of a speech by candidate [[Donald Trump]] in his campaign for the presidency.  At least one expression has become part of the [[English language]] due to this battle: "Pickett's Charge," which is an ill-advised, self-destructive frontal advance against an adversary. 160,000 combatants from both sides.  

Known simply as "Gettysburg", this unexpected epic battle of 160,000 combatants included many strategic mistakes that have been studied and analyzed ever since.  Four months after the conflict, it was the site of the famous [[Gettysburg Address]], in which [[Abraham Lincoln]] inserted "under [[God]]" into his speech after "this Nation," and in 2016 it was the site of a speech by candidate [[Donald Trump]] in his campaign for the presidency.  At least one expression has become part of the [[English language]] due to this battle: "Pickett's Charge," which is an ill-advised, self-destructive frontal advance against an adversary. 160,000 combatants from both sides.  

General [[Robert E. Lee]] took his army into [[Pennsylvania]] to capture army supplies (shoes, mostly<ref>https://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/shoes_at_gettysburg</ref>), boost morale, and destroy the will of the North.  Only by chance did he collide with the main Union army led by General [[George Meade]].  Lee did well the first two days but was routed on the third.  He was then trapped but Meade's failure to pursue allowed Lee's army to escape.

General [[Robert E. Lee]] took his army into [[Pennsylvania]] to capture army supplies (shoes, mostly<ref>https://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/shoes_at_gettysburg</ref>), boost morale, and destroy the will of the North.  Only by chance did he collide with the main Union army led by General [[George Meade]].  Lee did well the first two days but was routed on the third.  He was then trapped but Meade's failure to pursue allowed Lee's army to escape.