Gettysburg was the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War. The war lasted three days, from July 1 to July 3, 1863. When it was over, there were more than 51,000 casualties. Among them were many New Englanders and at least seven New Bedford men.

Many New England soldiers, including at least seven from New Bedford were killed at The Battle of Gettysburg.
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The American Battlefield Trust at battlefields.org states there were a combined 165,620 forces engaged at Gettysburg: 93,921 Union soldiers under the leadership of Gen. George G. Meade, and 71,699 Confederate soldiers commanded by Gen. Robert E. Lee.

Many New England soldiers, including at least seven from New Bedford were killed at The Battle of Gettysburg.
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There were an estimated 51,112 casualties – 23,049 for the Union and 28,063 for the Confederacy.

WBSM has written about the celebrated Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Infantry Regiment, which mustered in New Bedford, and Rhode Island's 2nd Volunteer Infantry Regiment and their heroism in the Civil War.

Many New England soldiers, including at least seven from New Bedford were killed at The Battle of Gettysburg.
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Curt Brown wrote a piece in 2013, the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, for the Standard-Times detailing the deaths of New Bedford soldiers who died at Gettysburg.

In addition to the remains of more than 3,500 Union soldiers buried at the Gettysburg National Cemetery, the cemetery contains the remains of American soldiers and dependents from the Civil War to Vietnam.

Many New England soldiers, including at least seven from New Bedford were killed at The Battle of Gettysburg.
Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
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The remains of more than 150 Union soldiers from Massachusetts, a dozen from Rhode Island, and others from New England are at the Gettysburg National Cemetery.

President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address during the dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery on November 19, 1863, not far from where the fallen Massachusetts soldiers rest. There is a Gettysburg Address Memorial at the Gettysburg National Cemetery.

Many New England soldiers, including at least seven from New Bedford were killed at The Battle of Gettysburg.
Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
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Many New England soldiers, including at least seven from New Bedford were killed at The Battle of Gettysburg.
Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
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Many New England soldiers, including at least seven from New Bedford were killed at The Battle of Gettysburg.
Barry Richard/Townsquare Media
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Next year marks the 160th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. This weekend, as we observe Memorial Day, remember the many lives lost on the battlefields of Gettysburg and throughout the American Civil War.

A Guide to New Bedford's Memorial Tanks and Cannons

New Bedford has a large assortment of military hardware scattered throughout the city to honor various veterans organizations. See them all listed here.

LOOK: 100 years of American military history

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