Civil War so Far
Up until Gettysburg the war wasn't going well for the Union, especially for the Army of the Potomac. The major battles had been going mostly in the Confederate's favor. The first of these was the Bull Run on July 21, 1861. After hours of fierce combat, the Union was forced to retreat. The First Minnesota suffered more than any other regiment at this battle: 42 dead and 108 wounded.
Following his victory at Bull Run, General Robert E. Lee led his army of Northern Virginia north where they clashed with the Union on September 17, 1862 near Antietam Creek (Sharpsburg) in Maryland. With around 26,000 killed or wounded, Antietam remains the bloodiest single day in the nation's history. The Union technically won this battle, though many historians call it a draw. Confederate victories at Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg came next.
Confederate successes caused President Lincoln to change commanders several times. General George Meade was placed in command of the Army of the Potomac a few days before Gettysburg and proved a more able commander than McClellan, Burnside, or Hooker who proceeded him.
Up until Gettysburg the war wasn't going well for the Union, especially for the Army of the Potomac. The major battles had been going mostly in the Confederate's favor. The first of these was the Bull Run on July 21, 1861. After hours of fierce combat, the Union was forced to retreat. The First Minnesota suffered more than any other regiment at this battle: 42 dead and 108 wounded.
Following his victory at Bull Run, General Robert E. Lee led his army of Northern Virginia north where they clashed with the Union on September 17, 1862 near Antietam Creek (Sharpsburg) in Maryland. With around 26,000 killed or wounded, Antietam remains the bloodiest single day in the nation's history. The Union technically won this battle, though many historians call it a draw. Confederate victories at Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg came next.
Confederate successes caused President Lincoln to change commanders several times. General George Meade was placed in command of the Army of the Potomac a few days before Gettysburg and proved a more able commander than McClellan, Burnside, or Hooker who proceeded him.