Battle of Gettysburg: The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, was a turning point in the Civil War, marking the first major defeat of Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and significantly diminishing the South's ability to mount offensive operations. This pivotal battle resulted in approximately 51,000 casualties and is famously remembered for Pickett’s Charge, a disastrous assault on the last day that exemplified the high human cost of the war.
Vicksburg Campaign: The Siege of Vicksburg, which lasted from May 18 to July 4, 1863, was a crucial Union victory that effectively split the Confederacy in two and gained control of the Mississippi River. The successful siege led to the surrender of the Confederate stronghold, which was vital for supply routes, and bolstered Union morale, making Ulysses S. Grant a prominent leader and later facilitating his appointment as General-in-Chief of the Union Army.