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Midpoint of the War: May to July 1863

Gettysburg: The Third Day

Could the Federals have counterattacked and won an even greater victory?

Of course, in the sense that hindsight always suggests the best move. But the Union men were accustomed to being beaten; this feeling of victory would take some time to adjust to. Then, too, there was always the danger that a counterattack would turn the retreating rebels into lions. It made far more sense to do what they did: to remain on Cemetery Ridge and see what Lee would do next.