The famous battle fought on the fields of Gettysburg was the Battle of Gettysburg, which occurred from July 1 to July 3, 1863, during the American Civil War. It is considered a pivotal turning point in the war, as it marked the first significant defeat of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's army in the North. The battle involved intense fighting and high casualties, with both Union and Confederate forces suffering tremendous losses. The Union victory, led by General George G. Meade, halted Lee's invasion of the North and bolstered Northern morale. The address given by President Abraham Lincoln at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery later that year further amplified its historical significance.