Day one of the Gettysburg battle began around 8 a.m. on July 1, 1863 as Union cavalry confronted Confederate infantry along Chambersburg Pike. Heavy fighting spread north and south along the ridge as additional forces arrived.

At midday, Confederate Major General Robert Rodes took position on a hill where the Eternal Light Peace Memorial now sits with some 8,000 troops. The closest Union troops were on Oak Ridge about a third of a mile down the hill.

The thunder of Confederate cannon signaled the beginning of the attack. They advanced against Oak Ridge and as they moved forward, Union troops concealed behind a stone wall rose up and unleashed fierce fire against the Confederate army.

Rodes re-grouped and renewed the attack bringing more Confederate troops into battle. By 4 p.m. despite heavy losses, a Confederate tide swept through the area, scooping up 3,000 Union prisoners on the way.

The fleeing Union army retreated through the streets of Gettysburg to Cemetery and Culp’s Hills just south and east of town. Despite their defeat on the first day, they held strong defensive positions from which to renew the fight the following day.

On Day one, 9,000 union soldiers and 6,800 Confederate soldiers were killed, wounded or missing. Both sides paid a heavy price but Confederate commander, General Robert E. Lee, believed his gains gave hope for victory …

Veterans of the Union and Confederate armies converged on Gettysburg in 1938 to dedicate the Eternal Light Peace Memorial, pictured above. The majority of the veterans were in their 90s, and many were over 100!

The view from Oak Ridge – all buildings on the battlefield are preserved.