The battle held the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War

It is often described as the war's turning point

After his success in Chancellorsville, Lee had confidence in his troops--

He was ready to begin his second invasion of the North

Elements of the two armies collided at Gettysburg on July 1st

The bloody battle lasted three days

51,000 soldiers lay dead at the end of those three days of battle

12,500 of those in one single attack-- known as Pickett's Charge

They were fighting a war of separation

They were fighting, "A rich man's war and a poor man's fight."