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Today, the historical tidbit has to do with patriotism by definition, so I'll let it stand on its own.
Did you know...that the Battle of Gettysburg almost lost the war for the North, as much as it won it for them?
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It's true. The Battle of Gettysburg is generally seen as the turning point in the Civil War. It was a three-day, bloody battle in which American fought American on American soil. Horribly tragic and heartwrenching for both sides, the combined estimated losses of the campaign exceed 57,000 men. Think about that 57,000 Americans killed one another over a three-day stretch, and they didn't even have the weapons technology we do today. They did have guns and cannons, but their gun ammunition was of the powder variety, and the majority of this fighting was done hand to hand.
The battle is considered the turning point of the war for several reasons. Thereafter, General Lee, who led the Confederate, or Southern, army never again conducted any offensive campaigns. He simply defended against Northern aggression. Months later, the pangs of Gettysburg were still resounding with the entire country, as evidenced by the Gettysburg Address and the way it re-defined the war, as well as the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery. In short, most people see it as being all down hill for the Confederacy after Gettysburg; just a matter of time until a Union victory.
However, there are theories that, had the Confederacy won out at Gettysburg, it might have not only resulted in an overall Confederate victory, but it might have ended the war then and there.
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So why the Union victory over the Confederates? Simple chance? I don't think so, and most people don't. While there were undoubtedly good, decent, god-fearing people on both sides of the conflict, the north was fighting for all the same things the south was (home, family, way of life) but they were also fighting for one extra things: the freedom and equality of all men, which is an elevated, godly ideal. I believe this gave them just slightly more power on a level that can be neither seen nor measured, and that is where their victory ultimately came from.
Today Gettysburg is known as one of the most haunted places on earth. I've never actually been there so I can't say for sure, but I've heard stories, and none of them surprise me. I belive that everything intelligent beings (i.e. humans) do leaves a mark, whether good or bad, even on things we don't generally consider intelligent, like the earth. Too many men lost their lives in that valley for there not be a residue of it left today.
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What do YOU think? Was it possible for the Union to have lost the Battle of Gettysburg?
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