Question 1

True or false: President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in November 1863.

Accepted Answer

True. Lincoln spoke for about two minutes, delivering 272 words, at the cemetery dedication on November 19, 1863, four and a half months after the battle.

Question 2

True or false: The battle was the bloodiest single-day engagement in American history.

Accepted Answer

False. The bloodiest single day was the Battle of Antietam in 1862 (over 22,000 casualties). Gettysburg had about 51,000 casualties over three days.

Question 3

True or false: The Battle of Gettysburg was fought entirely on July 4, 1863, coinciding with Independence Day.

Accepted Answer

False. The battle ran from July 1 to July 3, 1863. July 4 saw Lee's retreat and Vicksburg's surrender, making it a pivotal day for the Union.

Question 4

True or false: The Battle of Gettysburg was primarily fought over control of a shoe factory in the town.

Accepted Answer

False. This is a myth. While shoes were scarce, the battle was not about a shoe factory; it was a strategic clash after Confederates entered Pennsylvania seeking supplies.

Question 5

True or false: After the battle, Union soldiers discovered a handwritten copy of Lee's Special Orders No. 191 wrapped around three cigars.

Accepted Answer

False. That was the famous 'Lost Order' incident before the Battle of Antietam in 1862, not Gettysburg. A common mix-up among Civil War battles.

Question 6

True or false: The battle featured a famous cavalry charge led by General George Armstrong Custer.

Accepted Answer

True. Custer led the Michigan Brigade in a successful cavalry charge on July 3, 1863, at East Cavalry Field, helping repel Confederate horsemen.

Question 7

True or false: A civilian woman named Jennie Wade was the only Gettysburg resident killed during the battle.

Accepted Answer

True. Jennie Wade was hit by a stray bullet while baking bread on July 3, 1863, making her the only civilian casualty in the town during the battle.

Question 8

True or false: The Confederates had more artillery pieces at Gettysburg than the Union did.

Accepted Answer

False. The Union had about 354 cannons versus the Confederates' 272. This firepower advantage helped Union defenses, especially on Cemetery Ridge.

Battle of Gettysburg Trivia Questions