[July 6, 2025] America has experienced a number of dramatic turning points in its history. Likely, the most costly was the U.S. Civil War and arguably the most pivotal battle would occur over three days on July 1-3, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Gettysburg was where Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s invasion of the North was stopped. If Lee had not been stopped at Gettysburg, he would probably have gone for Philadelphia, New York City, or Washington, DC. Parts of Europe, specifically England, would have recognized the Confederacy, which could have forced a permanently divided nation.
Some historians disagree with this assessment and have argued that the Union under General George Meade would have cut up Lee’s men at another place and time. We know that the Confederate army was quickly bleeding out and could have collapsed within a few months of continuous Union pressure.
We should remember that at this point in the war, Lee’s army was considered virtually invincible. At least, that is what many Northern political leaders believed, and the psychological effect was devastating.
I’ve written about the Battle of Gettysburg on several occasions (see links here, here, and here). But nowhere have I addressed the idea that perhaps our nation’s place in history as a leader of the free world wholly depended upon this battle.
Lee’s hubris would lead not just to a lost battle but to the destruction of more than a third of his entire army. These men of the Confederacy could not be replaced, whereas Union forces were growing and their leaders becoming better fighters. Lee had to act quickly, but his overconfidence led to underestimating the capabilities of the Union army, with disastrous results.
The Gettysburg battlefield is a sacred place where the fate of our nation rested, 162 years ago. The blood of our ancestors secured the Union, guaranteeing freedom of slaves, and made for a stronger and more resilient nation.
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Sir, I’ve read many historians who agree but only if we look at one battle or series of battles (like a campaign).
Sir … you nailed it here:
“The Gettysburg battlefield is a sacred place where the fate of our nation rested, 162 years ago. The blood of our ancestors secured the Union, guaranteeing freedom of slaves, and made for a stronger and more resilient nation.” — Gen. Doug Satterfield as an army flag officer who knows why he’s talking about. Let us never ever forget the importance of those three days and the critical nature of the US Civil War to free the slaves and hold our nation together.
Indeed a powerful lesson in history.
Pivotal tome for America? Yes. Never down play this moment in time.
My father took me to the Gettysburg Battlefield as a kid and I remember it as a huge place and I was awed by the monuments and the many people who visited the site why so many people here, I thought? What a wonderful, but solemn place to be.
For centuries slavery was, as it had always been, an unquestioned and unremarked, except by fringe weirdos such as my ancestors, aspect of the human condition. The British and American North were correct about slavery being incompatible with nations that value freedom, based on a Christian legacy and value system.
Good point and these two nations pushed and prodded the world to give up slavery. Now that is one of the greatest events in human history.
Great comment and analyses, sir!
Spot on article, Gen. Satterfield. The battle lasted for three days. The decisive day was the second, July 2–162 years ago, today. The second day featured desperate fighting, as time after time the Confederates assaulted Cemetery Ridge, where Meade’s army made its stand. Over the course of the day, Lee’s army concentrated its attacks on the North and South ends of the Union’s position. Well done, sir.
Exactly….. the most populous city in the Confederacy was New Orleans. The second most populous city in the Confederacy was wherever the Union Army of the Potomac chanced be on any given day. (22 million population in the North. 9 million in the South / 4 million are slaves. I absolutely can see that the south being terrified of a slave rebellion being preached by the abolitionists.). well said, Jason. 👀👀👀👀👀
⚔️ My great grandfather was at the battle and survived. I still have his sword and is a prized family possession. ⚔️
Wow, fun facts. Shows how little in the way of industrialization that had occurred there.
TRUTH
Sweeney, I think not just the truth but a fundamental fact of our nation’s existence. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Good one, Sweeney. 🙏