1-153-490 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Battle of Gettysburg, American Civil War, 1-3 July 1863. Union infantry advancing across a ploughed field. Gettysburg was the largest battle ever fought in the Western Hemisphere. Casualties on both sides were extremely heavy, amounting to some 51,000 in all. The battle is generally regarded as marking the turning point of the Civil War in favour of the Union.