The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, was a turning point in the American Civil War. It marked the largest battle fought on American soil and resulted in a significant defeat for the Confederate Army, led by General Robert E. Lee. The Union victory, under General George Meade, ended Lee's invasion of the North and is often seen as a pivotal moment that shifted the war's momentum in favor of the Union. The battle also incurred the largest number of casualties in the Civil War, with over 50,000 soldiers killed or wounded, deeply affecting both the North and South.