Gettysburg-"Turning point"of the Civil War?

[Gene C]

I'm not so sure. This was the first major defeat for Lee, it proved he was not invincible. It did stop an offensive move on the part of the confederacy. The loss of men and resources from the battle at Gettysburg became an ever increasing problem for the south. The effect on morale for both sides changed with this battle. I think is was the turning point.

With Vicksburg, did the south loose that much with access to the west (Arkansas and Texas) cut off? Was the south going to continue to get additional manpower form these states? While it was a valuable port, the north already controlled New Orleans and Memphis. Grant had Vicksburg surrounded and controlled much of the railroads in and out of the city. If confederate goods from the west made it into Vicksburg, they couldn't go east very easily.