Gettysburg-"Turning point"of the Civil War?

[brtmchl]

I agree, somewhat, Roger. A Confederate victory would have greatly demoralized the North ( more so than it already was), while further emboldening the South; possibly marching on Washington D.C. bringing a reality to Chamberlain's fears. But the Northern victory helped ignite a new spark from a war weary North. I disagree that a loss for Lee at Gettysburg was a death blow. The fall of Vicksburg definately had a greater impact, occuring at the same time as Lee was retreating must have been devistating for Southerners, causing massive fear and depression throughout the South. Losing Vicksburg basically lost the war. It cut off a desperately depleted Confederate Eastern Army from supply, opened the back door for Union armies to attack from all directions, the union fully controlled the Mississippi River, there was no more Eastern Theater and Western Theater, It even gave Lincoln the election with the fall of Atlanta, and forced Lee into defensive tactics. I think Lincoln said it best, "The Father of Waters once again flows unvexed to the sea."