Battle of Williamsport

The Battle of Williamsport was arguably more important for what did not happen, as opposed to what did. Much to the chagrin of his superiors, including President Lincoln, Meade’s measured pursuit of the trapped Confederate army enabled Lee to hang on long enough to escape across the Potomac after the rain-swollen waters receded. Coupled with Ulysses S. Grant’s victory at Vicksburg, Meade lost an opportunity to possibly end the Civil War in 1863, two years before its actual conclusion.