For two years, the Union and Confederate armies in the east had battled with each other in Virginia and Maryland. Following his triumph at Chancellorsville, General Lee convinced Confederate president, Jefferson Davis, that the time was right to take the offensive into Pennsylvania. In June, 1863, almost 78,000 Confederates confidently marched northward into Pennsylvania with the support of southern leaders and high hopes that another victory would ensure independence for the South. Their hopes were dashed at the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place July 1-3, 1863. It was a bloody battle and included Pickett's fateful Charge. Over 4,500 soldiers were killed during the three days.
Pennsylvania and the North wanted to make a memorial cemetary for the Union's dead. The dedication of the Soldiers National Cemetery in Nov, 1863, was a special event attended by many local people, as well as dignataries. Mr. Edward Everett, featured speeker for the day, gave a nearly two-hour speech. Guest speaker, President Abraham Lincoln then spoke with a clear voice filled with both sympathy and determination. His famous Gettysburg Address was brief (273 words) and ended before many even comprehended its meaning. But with his short speech to the crowd in the cemetery, President Lincoln renewed the meaning of democracy and the Union's cause to reunite the nation as one.