Gettysburg Address essay
It is undoubtful fact that the battle of Gettysburg was one of the most famous battles in American history. Many writers, poets, artists and musicians dedicated their works to the event that occupies its significant place in contemporary American history; thus, the battle of Gettysburg is also embodied in folklore. In such a way, the main aim of this paper is to observe the battle of Gettysburg, dwelling on the most pivotal moment in it.
First of all it is important to mention that the battle of Gettysburg was a battle that took a place between the Unionists (the North) and the Confederates (the South), and the battle that considered to be one of the bloodiest battles during the American Civil War. To understand the battle and make a full picture of those times events, one must combine together dozens of different small stories and historical evidences.
It is a well-proven fact that the battle of Gettysburg was a really turning point in the Civil War because it was one of the final point that made Confederate army to retreat from the North. Having its beginning on July 1, 1863, the battle was short and effective (it lasted only 3 days – July 1 to July 3, 1863), 3 days which took so many lives of American soldiers. The battle of Gettysburg was one more General Robert E. Lee’s attempt to conquer the North. Of course, it was the most ambitious invasion of the North that ended with the victory of the North.
Addressing historical evidences, Boritt stated that “nonetheless, few Americans were familiar with Gettysburg before the first days of July, when nearly 170,000 armed men converged upon the borough. By battle’s end, the two armies had suffered over 51,000 casualties; Gettysburg would never be quite the same” (Borrit, 1997). Thinking about the most pivotal moment in the battle, it is necessary to say that the battle began with an attack of the Confederates on the right flank of the Unionists, which they succeeded in driving to the town. Then on July 2, General James Longstreet has developed an offensive on the left flank. On Friday morning, July 3, General George Pickett broke through Confederate defenses in the center, Cemetery Ridge, where took a place the bloodiest part of the battle. Only five thousand of Pickett’s soldiers survived, and the Confederates retreated under the intensive onslaught of the Unionists. Thus, the battle of Gettysburg became a military disaster for the Unionists, although the sides suffered roughly equal losses.
In addition, it is possible to mention that Gettysburg address, the most famous speech by President Abraham Lincoln, was a result of exactly the battle of Gettysburg. The President was trying to emphasize that “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth” (Boritt, 1997).
In conclusion, we have observed the battle of Gettysburg with all necessary details, and proved the fact that the Civil War, in general, and the battle of Gettysburg, in particular, have been estimated as the revival of liberty, which gave all citizens a true equality and opportunity to create a unified American nation.
