The Forgotten Final Stage Of The Gettysburg Campaign From Falling Waters To

The Forgotten Final Stage of the Gettysburg Campaign: Falling Waters

The Gettysburg Campaign is one of the most notable events in the American Civil War. While the Battle of Gettysburg itself is well-known, the final stage of the campaign often gets overshadowed. This article explores the forgotten history of the Gettysburg Campaign from Falling Waters to...

The Start of the Final Stage

The Battle of Gettysburg concluded on July 3, 1863, with General Robert E. Lee's Confederate forces retreating to the south. While Union General George G. Meade's troops celebrated their victory, they soon realized that the campaign was not yet over. Lee's army was still a threat, and Meade had to decide on the next move.

Meade and Lee After Gettysburg: The Forgotten Final Stage of the Gettysburg Campaign from Falling Waters to Culpeper Court House, July 14–31, 1863

by Jeffrey Wm Hunt (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5528 KB
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Falling Waters: The Little-Known Battlefield

Located near Williamsport, Maryland, Falling Waters became the site of the forgotten final stage of the Gettysburg Campaign. On July 6, 1863, Union forces under General Meade started pursuing Lee's retreating army, hoping to deliver a final blow and put an end to the Confederate threat once and for all.

The Pursuit Begins

As Union troops swiftly advanced southward, they faced numerous logistical challenges. The Gettysburg battle had left them depleted, with limited ammunition and supplies. Despite these obstacles, Meade was determined to capitalize on the momentum and not let Lee slip away.

The Battle at Falling Waters

On July 14, 1863, the Union army finally reached Falling Waters, where they encountered Rear Admiral John D. Imboden's cavalry and Confederate wagon trains. A fierce battle ensued, as the Union troops tried to disrupt the Confederate retreat and capture supplies. The fight lasted for several hours and resulted in heavy casualties on both sides.

Unfulfilled Objectives

Despite the bravery and determination shown by the Union forces, they were unable to achieve their primary objective of decisively defeating Lee's army. Lee had managed to escape across the Potomac River with most of his forces, leaving Meade frustrated but hopeful that the Confederate threat could still be neutralized.

The Aftermath

Following the Battle at Falling Waters, Meade faced criticism for his failure to completely destroy Lee's army. However, the Gettysburg Campaign had significantly weakened the Confederate forces, and the Union army had gained a vital strategic victory. The Battle of Gettysburg marked a turning point in the war, setting the stage for further Union advancements.

The Legacy of Falling Waters

While often overlooked, Falling Waters deserves recognition as the final chapter of the Gettysburg Campaign. The sacrifices made and the battles fought in this little-known battlefield played a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the Civil War. It reminds us that victory is not always achieved in a single battle but through a series of strategic moves and relentless pursuit.

In

The forgotten final stage of the Gettysburg Campaign from Falling Waters to... is a significant chapter in American history. As we remember the famous Battle of Gettysburg, let us also acknowledge the determination and sacrifices made during the pursuit that followed. Falling Waters holds a vital place in the story of the Civil War, reminding us of the complexities and challenges faced by both sides.

Meade and Lee After Gettysburg: The Forgotten Final Stage of the Gettysburg Campaign from Falling Waters to Culpeper Court House, July 14–31, 1863

by Jeffrey Wm Hunt (Kindle Edition)

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5528 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	407 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

This “very satisfying blow-by-blow account of the final stages of the Gettysburg Campaign” fills an important gap in Civil War history (Civil War Books and Authors).
 
Winner of the Gettysburg Civil War Round Table Book Award
 
This fascinating book exposes what has been hiding in plain sight for 150 years: The Gettysburg Campaign did not end at the banks of the Potomac on July 14, but deep in central Virginia two weeks later along the line of the Rappahannock.
 
Contrary to popular belief, once Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia slipped across the Potomac back to Virginia, the Lincoln administration pressed George Meade to cross quickly in pursuit—and he did. Rather than follow in Lee’s wake, however, Meade moved south on the east side of the Blue Ridge Mountains in a cat-and-mouse game to outthink his enemy and capture the strategic gaps penetrating the high wooded terrain. Doing so would trap Lee in the northern reaches of the Shenandoah Valley and potentially bring about the decisive victory that had eluded Union arms north of the Potomac.
 
The two weeks that followed resembled a grand chess match with everything at stake—high drama filled with hard marching, cavalry charges, heavy skirmishing, and set-piece fighting that threatened to escalate into a major engagement with the potential to end the war in the Eastern Theater. Throughout, one thing remains clear: Union soldiers from private to general continued to fear the lethality of Lee’s army.
 
Meade and Lee After Gettysburg, the first of three volumes on the campaigns waged between the two adversaries from July 14 through the end of July, 1863, relies on the official records, regimental histories, letters, newspapers, and other sources to provide a day-by-day account of this fascinating high-stakes affair. The vivid prose, coupled with original maps and outstanding photographs, offers a significant contribution to Civil War literature.
 
Named Eastern Theater Book of the Year byCivil War Books and Authors