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Day three can be reasonably called the turning point of the war, as it was the most costly battle against General Lee. Realizing the strategic importance of the South capturing the Little Round Top, as it would have allowed southern artilliary fire to hit every section of the Union army, Lee ordered a massive attack at the center of the Union army. Pickett was defeated; out of his 5,000 men, only 800 returned. His command for the charge was 15,000 men, however only 5,000 lived. The charge was a tragic failure. While only a couple dozen of the orginial 15,000 troops even saw the top of the little round top, they were captured and promptly killed upon arrival. In the end, the Union side had won the dangerous three-day battle against their opponents, the confederates. The impact of the Gettysburg battle spurred the famous Gettysburg address which president Lincoln had given a speech on.
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