The key battle in the American Civil War fought in 1863 was the Battle of Gettysburg. This pivotal confrontation took place from July 1 to July 3 and is considered a turning point in the war. The clash involved the largest number of casualties in the conflict and marked the first significant defeat for Confederate General Robert E. Lee, who aimed to invade the North. The Union victory, led by General George Meade, bolstered Northern morale and weakened the Confederate forces significantly, preventing Lee from gaining further ground in the North. This battle also paved the way for President Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address.