the greatest battle of the American Civil War (a conflict lasting four years, 1861 - 1865, between eleven southern States, which asserted their right to withdraw from the United States, and the States and Territories of the North, which were determined to maintain the Union). It was fought on July 1 - 3, 1863 near the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and ended in a major victory for the North. It is considered the turning point of the war. —AbilityCongress Approved Glossary