The Union economy was based on manufacturing, and even the minorities in the North were better off than those in the South most of the time. The Northern politicians wanted tariffs, and a large army. The Southern plantation owners wanted the exact opposite.

The South was fighting against a government that they thought was treating them unfai

The morning of July 3rd was not filled with much action with the exception of light shelling by both sides (Funk &Wagnalls Encyclopedia Vol. 11 pg. 384). Preparing for Southern attacks were delayed, but the half-hearted attack began around noon with the infamous Pickett’s charge. Major General George Pickett, and division commander Longstreet, led about 30,000 men across hundreds of yards of open fields, across a road and a number of fences, and up the side of Cemetery Ridge, all the time under enormous fire from Union cannons and muskets (The History Place Battle of Gettysburg 3). This onslaught and its achievements, which small portions did infact reach or even cross the wall in the face of such overwhelming odds are an incredible tribute to the leadership of General Lee, Longstreet, and Pickett, among a number of others, as well as the great spirit of the Confederate troops. One must not forget to mention, however, the heroic stand by the Union troops, from the first day and the Cavalry of John Buford to the third day and the combined effort of the entire Potomac Army (Microsoft Encarta Battle of Gettysburg 2). Even if not other factors influenced the attack, due to the number and firepower of the entrenched Union troops; the assault was going to fail and was destined to fail. On the night of July 3rd, General Robert E. Lee and the Confederate Army began their retreat back to Virginia. During the costly three days the Union casualties were 3,070 soldiers killed, 14,497 wounded, and 5,434 captured or missing (The History Place Battle of Gettysburg 4). The Confederacy suffered 2,992 deaths, 12,706 wounded, and 5,l50 captured or missing (The History Place Battle of Gettysburg 4). Gettysburg had important psychological effects, as well as, ruining the South’s morale and causing the North to celebrate a great victory. The night of July 3rd and into the next day, Saturday, July 4th, Confederate wounded was loaded aboard wagons that began the journey back toward the South. Lee was forced to abandon his dead and begin a long, slow withdrawal of his army back to Virginia. Union Commander Meade, out of fatigue and caution, did not immediately go after Lee, getting President Lincoln very angry who wrote a mad letter to Meade, which was never delivered, saying he missed an opportunity to end the war at this instance (The History Place Battl

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