ON THE GENTLY ROLLING FARM LANDS surrounding the little town of Gettysburg, Pa., was fought one of the great decisive battles of American history. For 3days, from July 1 to 3, 1863, a gigantic struggle between 75,000 Confederates and 88,000 Union troops raged about the town and left 51,000 casualties in its wake. Heroic deeds were numerous on both sides, climaxed by the famed Confederate assault on July 3 which has become known throughout the world as Pickett's Charge. The Union victory gained on these fields ended the last Confederate invasion of the North and marked the beginning of a gradual decline in Southern military power. This is a reprint of the National Park Service Handbook Series No. 9. This Guide covers The Battle of Gettysburg. A must read if you need a brief background on this historic site. If you are planning on visiting the battlefield this guide will provide you with a background of the events that took place on those fateful July days in 1863.