ON THIS DAY IN UNITED STATES HISTORY
July 3, 1863
Battle of Gettysburg, Day 3
(American Civil War)
On this day, the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War begins to heat up when Union cannons pound
Confederate positions near Culp's Hill. Rather than withdraw, the Rebels attack. The struggle goes on for three
hours until the Union army counter attacks and drives them off the hill.
At about 3:00pm, the famous Pickett's charge began with a mile long line of Confederate soldiers advancing towards
the Union line a mile away on Cemetery Ridge. After an hour of heavy fighting that included hand-to-hand combat
along some sections of the line, the Confederates were forced to withdraw leaving 7,500 dead and wounded lying in
the field.
By 4:00pm one of the great turning points in the American Civil War was essentially over although there was some
minor action the next day before Confederate forces decided to withdraw.
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