First Day
On July 1, 1863 General John Buford's cavalry and other Union troops that had arrived in Gettysburg the day before were driven from town by a larger Confederate force that had arrived from the west. The Federals took refuge on Cemetery Ridge south of town. Meade sent his most trusted General, Winfield Scott Hancock to assess the situation. At the same time Lee was arriving at Gettysburg and gathering his troops in response to the Union threat.
Hancock's report indicated that the high ground south of town would be a good place for a battle. Meade sent the rest of his army there forming them in a battle line in the shape of a fish hook. Less than a mile away, Lee was massing his forces on Seminary Ridge.
On July 1, 1863 General John Buford's cavalry and other Union troops that had arrived in Gettysburg the day before were driven from town by a larger Confederate force that had arrived from the west. The Federals took refuge on Cemetery Ridge south of town. Meade sent his most trusted General, Winfield Scott Hancock to assess the situation. At the same time Lee was arriving at Gettysburg and gathering his troops in response to the Union threat.
Hancock's report indicated that the high ground south of town would be a good place for a battle. Meade sent the rest of his army there forming them in a battle line in the shape of a fish hook. Less than a mile away, Lee was massing his forces on Seminary Ridge.