Even after the defeat, Lee was optimistic. He felt that with one more day of determined attack, he could break the Union defenses. Early that afternoon, Lee ordered an artillery barrage on the middle of the Union lines. For two hours, the two armies fired at one another in a vicious exchange. When the Union artillery fell silent, Lee insisted that Longstreet press on forward. Longstreet ordered his men to attack the center of the Union lines. Among the men were those under the command of General George Pickett. As they marched across the farmland towards the Union, the Union artillery suddenly renewed its barrage. Some Confederates had nearly reached the Union lines when the Northern infantry fired on them as well. The Confederates staggered back while the Union succeeded in holding the high ground south of Gettysburg.
Lee also sent calvary led by General James E.B. Stuart circling around the right flank of Meade's forces, hoping to surprise the Union forces. Stuart's campaign, however, was stalled when his men clashed with forces under David Gregg, three miles away.
Not knowing that Gregg had stopped Stuart, nor that Lee's army was severely weakened, Meade never ordered a counterattack. After the battle, Lee finally gave up any hope of invading the North. He led his men on the long journey back to Virginia through pelting rain. Although Lee would continue to lead his men brilliantly for two more years, he nor the Confederates would ever recover from the loss at Gettysburg.