General Meade responded to Lee’s tactics by maintaining a defensive posture.

During the Battle of Gettysburg, Meade prioritized maintaining the high ground and reinforcing his defensive positions instead of initiating aggressive offensives. By strategically placing his troops on vital terrain, he sought to absorb and effectively counter Lee's attacks. This defensive strategy enabled Union forces to capitalize on their numerical and artillery advantages, ultimately allowing them to endure Confederate assaults and achieve a significant victory, which became a pivotal moment in the Civil War.