On July 1, 1863, Union forces from the 1st and 11th Corps clashed with advancing Confederate troops around Gettysburg. Fighting spread across the grounds of Pennsylvania College as Union soldiers attempted to slow the Confederate advance. Intense combat occurred north of campus, where Union engineers dismantled fences for defensive use while Confederate infantry advanced along the Mummasburg Road. Witnesses described brutal scenes as soldiers fell under heavy fire. By late afternoon, Confederate forces had gained the advantage and pushed Union troops back after fierce fighting near stone walls and open fields.