Fill the blank
The Union army was able to continue fighting at Gettysburg even after being driven out of town because Union troops _____________.
a. were motivated to defend their homeland.
b. launched a surprise attack.
c. took up a strategic position on high ground.
d. surpassed Confederate troops in number.
took up a strategic position on high ground
The Union army was able to continue fighting at Gettysburg even after being driven out of town because Union troops __took up a strategic position on high ground__.
To fill the blank, we need to determine the reason why the Union army was able to continue fighting at Gettysburg even after being driven out of town. To do this, let's analyze each option provided:
a. were motivated to defend their homeland: This option suggests that the Union troops were determined to protect their homeland, which could be a motivating factor for them to continue fighting. However, it does not directly address how they were able to continue fighting at Gettysburg.
b. launched a surprise attack: This option implies that the Union troops initiated an unexpected offensive against the Confederate forces, which enabled them to regain momentum. However, the question states that the Union army continued fighting after being driven out of town, so a surprise attack doesn't seem to fit the scenario.
c. took up a strategic position on high ground: This option suggests that the Union troops secured a tactical advantage by positioning themselves on high ground. This could have given them better visibility, protection, and an advantageous firing position. Establishing a strategic position is a common military strategy, making this option more plausible.
d. surpassed Confederate troops in number: This option implies that the Union army had a numerical superiority over the Confederate forces. While numerical superiority can be advantageous in battles, it may not solely explain why the Union army was able to continue fighting at Gettysburg after being driven out of town.
Considering the provided options and the context of the question, the most likely answer to fill the blank is:
c. took up a strategic position on high ground.