rallyround
Cadet
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2005
- Location
- Illinois
Well! I might as well start off this new topic!
Here goes...
I have never been able to believe that Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War. I believe that it was the fall of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, that really indicated a turning point. William T. Sherman once wrote to his brother: "Whatever nation gets control of the Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri Rivers will control the continent." I believe he had it right. Once Vicksburg fell, the Confederacy gave up the Mississippi to the Union. That was a dangerous blow that cut already shrinking supply lines to the Confederacy. I believe that Gettysburg is considered the turning point by many because it was lost by the Confederacy the day before Vicksburg fell. If Gettysburg had never been fought, would that be when Vicksburg would be considered the turning point? What if Vicksburg had fallen a month before the battle at Gettysburg? Would the "turning point" be looked at differently then?
Here goes...
I have never been able to believe that Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War. I believe that it was the fall of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, that really indicated a turning point. William T. Sherman once wrote to his brother: "Whatever nation gets control of the Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri Rivers will control the continent." I believe he had it right. Once Vicksburg fell, the Confederacy gave up the Mississippi to the Union. That was a dangerous blow that cut already shrinking supply lines to the Confederacy. I believe that Gettysburg is considered the turning point by many because it was lost by the Confederacy the day before Vicksburg fell. If Gettysburg had never been fought, would that be when Vicksburg would be considered the turning point? What if Vicksburg had fallen a month before the battle at Gettysburg? Would the "turning point" be looked at differently then?