On This Date in the American Civil War: 1863-07-01

Day-by-Day Timeline of Events

July 1, 1863

In the northwest of Gettysburg, at Marsh Creek at about 5:30AM, the first shots of the Battle of Gettysburg are fired between Confederate and Union forces.

July 1, 1863

At 8:00AM, Confederate forces - as part of General Henry Heth's division - under the direction of General James J. Archer and General Joseph R. Davis march on Gettysburg.

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July 1, 1863

At 10:00AM, during the fighting at Gettysburg, Union General John F. Reynolds is killed.

July 1, 1863

General Abner Doubleday succeeds General Reynolds following the latter's death.

July 1, 1863

General Solomon Meredith's "Iron Brigade" repels General Archer's Confederates and captures Archer and a few hundred others.

July 1, 1863

At 12:00PM, Major General Oliver O. Howard of XI Corps arrives.

July 1, 1863

Confederate guns open up from Oak Hill at around 12:00PM.

July 1, 1863

At 2:00PM Major General Robert E. Rodes moved his troops against the Union right flank.

July 1, 1863

At 2:00PM, Union General Meade calls on General Winfield S. Hancock to succeed the slain General Reynolds.

July 1, 1863

Upon arriving on scene at about 2:30PM, General Robert E. Lee surveys the battlefield from Herr Ridge.

July 1, 1863

The division under the command of Union General Carl Schurz is routed at 2:30PM.

July 1, 1863

General Lee advances General Heth and William Dorsey Pender's forces. General Heth is wounded.

July 1, 1863

At 3:30PM General Schurz units retreat under attacks from General Jubal A. Early. Their retreat is through the town of Gettysburg itself.

July 1, 1863

At 4:00PM General Pender pushes Union forces to retreat into Gettysburg proper as well as into Cemetery Hill.

July 1, 1863

At 4:00PM, General Hancock arrives at Cemetery Hill.

July 1, 1863

At 4:30PM, Union forces retreat from Gettysburg and take up fortified positions at the town's south, in Cemetery Hill.

July 1, 1863

At 4:30PM, General Lee provides General Ewell with the option to attack Union forces at Cemetery Hill if an advantage can be had and maintained. Lee understands the Federal forces hold positions on high ground. Ewell does not move on the enemy - perhaps missing a tremendous opportunity to turn the tide of the battle on its first day.

July 1, 1863

General Daniel E. Sickles arrives and reinforces Union numbers.

July 1, 1863

By 6:30PM, the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg draws to a close.

July 1, 1863

Union engineers attempt a second demolition of Union defenses at Vicksburg, Mississippi. This attempt also fails to make progress.

July 1, 1863

Carlisle, Pennsylvania falls under an attack by General Jeb Stuarts cavalry forces.

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On This Date in the American Civil War: 1863-07-01

Listing of all day-by-day events of the American Civil War related to the state of 1863-07-01.