The event in 1863 often regarded as the turning point of the American Civil War is the Battle of Gettysburg. Fought from July 1 to July 3, this battle marked a significant victory for the Union army under General George Meade against the Confederate forces led by General Robert E. Lee. The defeat halted Lee's invasion of the North and gave the Union a morale boost. Additionally, the battle resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with the Union losing around 23,000 and the Confederates suffering about 28,000. The Union's victory at Gettysburg, coupled with the fall of Vicksburg shortly thereafter, shifted the momentum of the war.