The Confederate’s fort at Vicksburg, Mississippi, was essential to the South, as it served as a key vantage point for them over the North. However, if the Union besieged this fort, the North would have control over the lower Mississippi River, which would split the South in half, cutting off the western half of the Confederacy from Virginia. With such an extreme advantage being given to the prevailing side, and the other a great defeat, the Battle of Vicksburg marks the true turning point of the Civil War.
Once, while talking about Vicksburg, President of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis referred to it as “the nail head that holds the South’s two halves together”, just to stress how important this stronghold was. This fortification served many …show more content…
If the southerners lost control over the Mississippi River they would lose a lifeline. From the Mississippi Confederates were able to trade goods, get food, transfer troops, and collect materials for the war. However, these things seemed small and petty compared to what they would lose if they lost Vicksburg. If the South were to lose control of Vicksburg they would lose half of the Confederacy, a crushing loss that, at this point of the war, no one could spare to lose. They knew how big of a loss this would be if it happened and the Union was well …show more content…
Before the battle happened, it seemed the North might not win and that the South might come out victorious. However, after the battle ended and the Mississippi River was put into Union hands, the war was changed completely. It gave the Union hope, and raised their moral. Most importantly it made them believe they could win the war. Had it not been for the Battle of VIcksburg, this wouldn’t have been possible. Had the Union never gained the Mississippi, the Confederacy would not have been as crushed as it was, leaving them still in good condition. If not for General Grant’s genius battle tactics and the way he led his men, he would not have become commanding General of the Union army and consequently the Union may have never won the war. The Battle of Vicksburg, although not written in history, ultimately changed the Civil War completely. Had it never taken place, history, as we know it, may have been written very
Once, while talking about Vicksburg, President of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis referred to it as “the nail head that holds the South’s two halves together”, just to stress how important this stronghold was. This fortification served many …show more content…
If the southerners lost control over the Mississippi River they would lose a lifeline. From the Mississippi Confederates were able to trade goods, get food, transfer troops, and collect materials for the war. However, these things seemed small and petty compared to what they would lose if they lost Vicksburg. If the South were to lose control of Vicksburg they would lose half of the Confederacy, a crushing loss that, at this point of the war, no one could spare to lose. They knew how big of a loss this would be if it happened and the Union was well …show more content…
Before the battle happened, it seemed the North might not win and that the South might come out victorious. However, after the battle ended and the Mississippi River was put into Union hands, the war was changed completely. It gave the Union hope, and raised their moral. Most importantly it made them believe they could win the war. Had it not been for the Battle of VIcksburg, this wouldn’t have been possible. Had the Union never gained the Mississippi, the Confederacy would not have been as crushed as it was, leaving them still in good condition. If not for General Grant’s genius battle tactics and the way he led his men, he would not have become commanding General of the Union army and consequently the Union may have never won the war. The Battle of Vicksburg, although not written in history, ultimately changed the Civil War completely. Had it never taken place, history, as we know it, may have been written very