History Facts

The Battle of Gettysburg (July 1 – July 3, 1863), fought in Pennsylvania, was the battle with the largest number of casualties in the American Civil War and is frequently cited as the war’s turning point. Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s army was defeated, forcing him to retreat back to the South. The Battle of Gettysburg is one of the most famous battles in U.S. History and is accurately portrayed in a movie titled “Gettysburg.”

Fact #1 - The strength of the Union army at Gettysburg was roughly 94,000 troops. The Confederates were outnumbered, and had only 72,000.

It feels weird saying the word “only” in the above sentence. Almost 170,000 total troops in one battle is a massive number, especially in such a small town like Gettysburg.

Fact #2 - The Battle of Gettysburg had the largest number of casualties in the Civil War.

Over a 3 day span, the Union suffered 23,055 casualties and the Confederacy had 23,231 respectively.

Fact #3 - General Robert E. Lee was the commander of the Confederate Army and General George S. Meade was the commander of the Union army during the Battle of Gettysburg.

Robert E. Lee is considered one of the most brilliant military minds of the American Civil War and well liked amongst his army. Meade was a short tempered, angry man who was not loved by his soldiers.

Fact #4 - The battle on Little Round Top was one of the most fabled events of the entire war.

Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain of the 20th Maine successfully held his line (the very far end of the left flank) against several Confederate charges. When his men ran out of ammunition, Chamberlain ordered a bayonet charge. It was a bold move, but it paid off.

Fact #5 - Pickett’s Charge was a terrible failure for the Confederacy.

General Lee ordered and infantry assault by 12,500 Confederates against the center of the Union line on Cemetery Ridge. This attack is known today as Pickett’s Charge. Lee believed that the Union would never expect an attack on the very center of their line. But it just so happens Meade predicted this attack and was ready for it.

Julius Caesar was a Roman military and political leader. He played a critical role in the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. Unfortunately for him, the Senate wasn’t too happy about that and they ultimately assassinated Caesar.

Fact #1 - Caesar went to Rhodes to study oratory, but on his way he was captured by pirates whom he charmed and seemingly befriended. After he was freed, he had the pirates executed.

If anyone would know something about double-crossing it would be pirates. I can’t believe they would befriend someone they captured. Morons! Imagine how history would have turned out if Caesar was murdered by the pirates and never became a Roman emperor?

Fact #2 - In 44 B.C. conspirators claiming they feared Caesar was aiming to become king assassinated Caesar on the Ides of March.

Julius Caesar was assassinated because Senators wanted to restore a normal running of the Republic. They feared Caesar was too power hungry and centralized the government… The results of his assassination were another Roman Civil War

Fact #3 - Caesar’s living son, Caesarion, was an Egyptian, the son of Queen Cleopatra, so Caesar adopted a great nephew, Octavian, in his will. Octavian was to become the first Roman emperor, Augustus.

How often in history has a blood-son of an emperor been passed over for a great nephew? That has to be rare. And talk about having issues growing up. Caesarion, who had his father’s name, couldn’t follow in his legacy. Poor Caesarion was probably picked on a lot growing up.