Osprey Order of Battle 11 : Gettysburg July 3 1863 : Union : The Army of the Potomac

'The enemy attacked me about 4pm this day, and, after one of the severest contests of the war, was repulsed at all points. We have suffered considerably in killed and wounded... I shall remain in my present position tomorrow, but am not prepared to say, until better advised of the condition of the army, whether my operations will be of an offensive or defensive character.'. General Meade's July 2nd dispatch to General-in-Chief Halleck indicated the need to assess the state of the Union forces and the Federal predicament - to this end he called a council of war. The thinking of his commanders was best expressed by General Slocum of XII Corps: 'Stay and fight it out.'. As the meeting broke up, Meade turned to General John Gibbon whose division held the centre of the Federal line. 'If Lee attacks tomorrow', he said 'it will be on your front.'. Asked why, he replied; 'Because he has made attacks on both our flanks and failed, and if he concludes to try again, it will be on our center.'. His judgment was to be proved correct, as the shelling commenced, and the Confederates began to advance. Text by James Arnold and Roberta Wiener.