re: The Battle of Gettysburg - 157th Anniversary | Day Two - Prologue #1 | July 2, 1863

The political importance of Gettysburg cannot be emphasized enough. After Chancellorsville , a large contingent in both houses wanted to settle for peace. They felt outmatched and that the war had drug on too long. This movement had leaders who could have really given Lincoln a run for his money in ‘64 had Lee win at Gettysburg and successes in bringing a European country in on the South’s side or threatened a major city. The Union victory ended any real political threat to Lincoln and the radicals.