mity than expected. In danger of losing a battle, Lee decided that Ewell must withdraw from Harrisburg and assemble near the town of Gettysburg. However, General Lee had a significant problem, he had no idea where Stuart and the cavalry was; therefore the Federal Army's strategy was unknown. With that exception, Lee was ready to fight the decisive battle. Unbeknownst to Lee was that Stuart was engaged in a clash with federal cavalry, just north of their location.
             On June 30th, a Confederate brigade had been sent to appropriate some shoes seen in a shoe factory, but had withdrawn because a federal force was seen heading towards the town. The Corps commander, General Hill, did not believe the Federals could be so near, and raised no objections when Major General Henry Heth, leading one of Hill's divisions, asked if he could use his superior force to collect some shoes. This was the spark that set off the battle. The following day, July 1, 1863, saw the first fighting at Gettysburg. The first encounter was between Heth's brig
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