Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia begins withdrawing into Virginia as President Abraham Lincoln laments a missed opportunity.

Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia begins withdrawing into Virginia as President Abraham Lincoln laments a missed opportunity.
George G. Meade prepares his Federal Army of the Potomac to attack, while Robert E. Lee prepares his Confederate Army of Northern Virginia to withdraw.
Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia prepares for a battle against George G. Meade’s Federals while still stranded on the Maryland side of the Potomac River.
Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia reaches the Potomac River, while George G. Meade, commanding the Federal army, is reluctant to pursue.
Leading elements of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia reach the Potomac River at Williamsport, Maryland, but they soon find the bridges destroyed and the river too high to ford. And the Federal Army of the Potomac is in pursuit.
Robert E. Lee’s Confederate Army of Northern Virginia begins retreating from Gettysburg, but the swelling Potomac River threatens to trap Lee in hostile territory.