On this day 1863, Robert E Lee shouted "Never fight uphill, me b'hoys!" ... So beautiful

[Redleg]

2. When I visited the battlefields at Gettysburg

I was surpised to find that Cemetary Ridge was much less steep than I had expected. It was more of a gentle slope, especially compared to the difficulty terrain at Little Round Top.

Having said that, even a relatively gentle slope provides significant advantages for the defender, the Union in this case. I wouldn't have wanted to advance toward the Union lines on a hot July day, having to cross several relatively open areas enroute while under fire from indirect fire at first and then the withering direct fire of dug-in federal troops.