Gettsyburg or Vicksburg: Which was more important?

[J_Man0507]

Well, after quite a hiatus, I am back. And since I have been delving into the opening campaigns of Grant in 1862, I figured that this would be as good a place to start as any!

I have to agree with sam. He said that strategically, Vicksburg and politically Gettysburg. There wasn't much strategic importance to Gettysburg, except that it turned back a Southern invasion of Northern soil. What it did do was sound a death knell for the Army of Northern Virginia. While not out for the count, they lost 23,000 irreplaceable men, which was only exacerbated by the bloody battles of the Overland Campaign and the siege of Petersburg. While not strategically critical, it was a vast boost to morale. This was the greatest invasion made by Lee, and it was turned back. No war aims were achieved by this victory. It was pivotal, but not the most pivotal, battle.

Vicksburg, on the other hand, achieved a stated war aim. Take the Mississippi and cut the Confederacy in two. Now, with New Orleans in Union hands, it was of no use as a port, so the Mississippi is not a viable trade route. But by holding Vicksburg, the Confederates kept Union boats from easily getting from Missouri, Kentucky, etc. to the lower reaches of the Father of Waters and the Deep South. With Vicksburg captured and the river open, they (the Union) didnt' have to take roundabout routes to get there anymore, making transport easier.

But I would have to say that the most pivotal battle was Ft. Donelson. It showed the vulnerability of the Confederacy and the beginnings of Grant's genius (though he made quite a few mistakes in this campaign, in my opinion.) Virginia was just a distraction. It was back and forth, the same ground being fought over time and again (e.g Winchester, Va, which changed hands dozens of times.) While great battles were fought there, the pivotal battles were in the west. That is where the Confederacy lost. If Joe Johnston had stayed in the east and Lee gone west, things may have turned out differently. Grant and Lee from 1862 on? Sounds like a what if to me!!

[M E Wolf]

Dear Tackitt27 and List Members;

If I was held to only the two campaigns--Vicksburg and Gettysburg; I would have to say that these were extremely important campaigns.

I would have to lean towards Gettysburg though, seeing how many Generals, officers, staff, promising officers to be that had the knowledge of the arts from West Point as well as VMI (Va. Military Institute); to which the majority of officers had attended prior to West Point. Good leadership skills are hard to come by--irreplacable. Pickett's Charge caused the slaughter of many officers and well respected generals.

In addition the fact that General Lee was unsupported by Richmond, the Army of Northern Virginia (CSA) had all the horses that the South could spare. So many perished along the way and to replace horses--it requires at least two years for a horse to mature enough as to carry the weight of human, weight and or stress. Horses don't fully fuse their bones until 3 years of age to 4 years of age. Wagons were more important then ever now; as they hauled officers as they lacked horses. Without horses--you had no support for farming, etc; in the South. The North however, started a huge effort into breeding military horses. Favored was the Morgan horse, as this breed like it's founding sire-was a bundle of energy and worked tirelessly on less food than the popular Thoroughbred. Having ridden and driven this breed as well as Thoroughbred (race horses); Quarter Horses--they can travel longer and further than the leggy Thoroughbred. This gave more horse per bucket of grain/oats--the 'hybred of the Civil War era cavalry mount.

Telling, was also the need for footwear and the needed raid into Gettysburg. This slows down marching soldiers for many a reason. Shoes and soles, heels too--required leather. Leather is made from hide/animal skin--mostly cattle. To make final leather, it requires a few weeks to treat, process and tan hide, let alone cut, fit and sew/nail the shoe together.

Major/Ranger John Singleton Mosby was the main raider, in the area of Northern Virginia which is 'no man's land' which was Alexandria, what is now Arlington (then Alexandria County), Annandale and Fairfax Court House (Fairfax VA). Most of his raids were for horses, grain, food and supplies. A Union wagon train was captured passing Annandale, VA.

Vicksburg was also very important.

To me--every battle/campaign that occurred is extremely important. Like a knitted piece of clothing, when there is a hole--the surrounding fiber is weakened and the weakest or most stressed side of the hole will fail, thus collaspes and tears in that direction. To me, this is the same as warfare.

Just some thoughts.

Sincerely,
M. E. Weyraugh