What did Union General George Meade do that enabled his forces to win at Gettysburg on the third day of battle?

1 Answer
Jul 20, 2017

George Meade had his reserves place behind the center of his line on cememtary ridge.

Explanation:

The Southern forces had attacked both flanks on day two of the battle of Gettysburg. Meade decided to give the units that had fought on day two a chance to rest by putting them in reserve in the middle of his line. Meade did not expect an attack up the center of his line but felt that the reserves could be quickly shifted to either flank as needed.

Picket's charge with the first Virginia and a total of 15,000 troops drove directly at the center of Union Line. Cannon fire from both flanks decimated the southern units weakening them as they attacked the entrenched Union forces on the hill.

The Entrenched Union forces wreaked further damage on the attacking units. The Union line broke momentarily then the fortunately placed reserves drove the Confederate forces back.

George Meade did not win the battle as much as a poorly thought out frontal attack by Lee lost the battle.