July 2, 1863 - The Second Day of Battle began just like any other day of battle. General Robert E. Lee was hoping to be able to capitalize on his first day of success on the battlefield. Though both sides were beginning to suffer from the lack of needs, both armies continued to press on into battle against one another.
General Lee launched several attacks on the Union Army in the hopes to end the day of battle on this day. The Second Day of Battle led to an attack on Devil's Den and Little Round Top. General Longstreet was looking for a decisive win in this day of battle against the Union Army. A full scale assault was led by Lt. General Robert Ewell against the Union Army on Culp's Hill and East Cemetery Hill. Both attacks did not help the Confederate advantage to move any further toward victory.
The Second Day of Battle seemed to dash any hopes of Confederate victory and forward movement in a Northern Direction for the Army of Northern Virginia. Yet General Lee continued to make preparations for a Third Day of Battle against Union Forces in a hopes of winning the battle and leading to the Victory of the War.
The Second Day of Battle led to an even greater loss of soldiers on both sides, an even greater loss, of rations, supplies, clothes and artillery to use in battle, if there was to be another day of battle. Both sides knowing the cost of a third day of battle would lead to even greater hardship and suffering for the units, yet they pressed on with plans for a third day of battle in the hopes to end this battle once and for all.