30+ Rare and Fascinating Photos from the American Civil War

Gettysburg, a name synonymous with the American Civil War’s most pivotal battle, witnessed General Lee’s bold attempt to turn the tides by confronting Union forces in Southern Pennsylvania. His recent victory buoyed Confederate morale. However, despite initial penetrations, three days of intense combat, inflicting nearly 51,000 casualties combined, left Lee and his army significantly weakened, forcing a retreat into Virginia.

Contrary to popular lore, the Battle of Gettysburg didn’t start over a quest for footwear. Instead, the town’s strategic position, intersected by ten roads, inevitably set the stage for a clash between Confederate and Union forces, proving geography as much a factor in history’s unfolding as intention.