Abstract
The paper discusses how, although it did not end the war, the Battle of Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War, and represented the true beginning of the end for the Confederacy. The paper examines how, in this costly battle, both the 21st North Carolina and the Iron Brigade experienced some of the heaviest losses, and both units were highly regarded as valorous and intrepid in their actions. The writer proposes that the first-hand accounts and reports of gallantry of both of these units confirm that the Iron Brigade lived up to its name, and the 21st North Carolina earned and deserved an honorary title of their own.

Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Figure 1. Uniform of the Iron Brigade
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"In fact, although the Union forces managed to exact a heavy toll on the Confederate forces at Gettysburg, Meade failed to take advantage of his strategic opportunity though and allowed the Southern forces to retreat without pursuing them across the Potomac. President Lincoln wrote Meade a letter written on July 14, 1863 (but it was never mailed) when he learned that Lee's Army of Northern Virginia had escaped back across the Potomac and had successfully avoided further battle with Meade's army; even though Meade never read the letter, it is illustrative of Lincoln's frustration with this lost opportunity and his general."

Tags: Pennsylvania, Northern, troops, casualties, reinforcements, Brigadier, General, John, Buford, Lee