The outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg was a significant turning point in the Civil War. Fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, it marked the first major defeat for Confederate General Robert E. Lee as his forces retreated. The Union victory bolstered Northern morale and became a pivotal moment symbolizing the shift in momentum towards the Union's advantage. Additionally, the battle resulted in substantial casualties on both sides, prompting President Abraham Lincoln to further commit to the war effort and deliver the iconic Gettysburg Address later that year.