Why was Gettysburg an important location during Robert E. Lee’s invasion of Pennsylvania?

Gettysburg became a critical location during Robert E. Lee’s invasion of Pennsylvania primarily because of its geography as a strategic crossroads.1

After learning that the Army of the Potomac was advancing under a new commander, George G. Meade, Lee sought to concentrate his scattered forces to maintain a strong position to either defend or attack. He ordered his corps commanders to converge near Cashtown or Gettysburg to address the threat.1

Simultaneously, Union cavalry commander John Buford recognized the town's importance as a junction and moved to hold it against Confederate forces. This convergence led to the Battle of Gettysburg, which resulted in a crushing defeat for the Confederacy and is widely considered the turning point of the American Civil War.12