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A second Union corps, the XIth, begins filing out north of town early in the afternoon, bringing Union strength engaged on the first day to about 20,000 total. However, on the day previous, R.E. Lee has ordered a concentration of his entire army in or near Gettysburg. A Confederate cavalryman is credited with saying, as regards battle, "The idea is to get there first with the most."

By mid-afternoon, almost 40,000 Confederate troops have arrived, now outnumbering the Yankees by over 2:1. Much of the Confederate strength is appearing from the north, commanded by General Richrd Ewell. The position of Ewell's men can be described as forming a line between Oak Hill (site of the Eternal Light Peace Memorial) and stretching eastward beyond and just to the north of Blocher's Knoll. (Today known as Barlow's Knoll.) By about 4:00 the Confederates have overlapped both flanks of the Yankee line. In military terms, this action is known as a double envelopment, and the effect on the Federal line is devastating. The Union I and XI Corps are shattered and flee southward through Gettysburg toward two eminencies south of town, Culp's and Cemetery Hills. July 1st ends with two Union Corps destroyed, or at least rendered ineffective.

The first day's battle ends with what may be considered a stunning Confederate victory. But in retrospect, Lee's army has not achieved as great a victory as we sometimes believe. The location of the Army of Northern Virginia has been pinpointed. The rebels are now operating in hostile territory with a line of communication stretching well over 100 miles, first westward toward Chambersburg, PA. and then south to Virginia. The Yankee army has begun to develop a defensive position which will show hself to be very strong based on a group of three bills with connecting ridges. Finally, in spite of the severe whipping administered on the first day to the Yankees, the Confederates are still outnumbered by the Yankees.

July 2, 1863:

The first day's fighting has occurred north and west of the town. As we explore the 2nd and 3rd days' action, we must move south of Gettysburg. A good location to begin is the Peach Orchard at the intersection of the Emmitsburg and Wheatfield Roads. On July 2nd, Robert E. Lee has decided to launch his main assault against the left of the Union line. The Confederate position on the second day stretches from the eastern base of Culp's Hill north and west through Gettysburg itself, and then south along Seminary Ridge (West Confederate Avenue flows along the ridge today.) Just west of the Peach Orchard, Warfield Ridge begins to stretch in a more easterly direction (South Confederate Ave., beginning at the Emmitsburg Road intersection, follows Warfield Ridge today.)

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