Evaluate Gettysburg and Vicksburg
Both the battles Gettysburg, in 1863, and Vicksburg, also in 1863, have a huge impact on the war. Both battles have similarities and differences but they were both victories for the north.
At Vicksburg in 1863 there was a clear northern objective, the aim was to take the town of Vicksburg, despite not seeming to be of much importance, this was the 'nail-head' that held the two half's of the confederate land together, also if Vicksburg was captured the confederates wouldn't be able to use the Mississippi river for trade or the movement of troops. However there is one issue that is overlooked here, Davis, the confederate leader knew that Vicksburg was important but only in a symbolic way, there was now little trade travelling up and down the Mississippi, nevertheless the loss of Vicksburg would still be a huge blow to the southern morale.
Where as at Gettysburg there wasn't as much of a clear laid out plan, the south had realised that the only way they could get Lincoln to accept a southern peace settlement was to win victories on northern soil, hence why Lees troops were sent into Tennessee instead of sent to reinforce Vicksburg. The aim was simple, to win a victory on northern soil, however this would prove more difficult than first thought, when Lee left to go north he was being pursued by the union general Hooker who had little idea of where he was going. Hooker was soon replaced by General Meade, and it was by sheer luck that rebel soldiers looking for shoes stumbled on union troops at Gettysburg, which resulted in this being the ground on which the greatest battle ever fort on American soil, would be set.
Both the battles Gettysburg, in 1863, and Vicksburg, also in 1863, have a huge impact on the war. Both battles have similarities and differences but they were both victories for the north.
At Vicksburg in 1863 there was a clear northern objective, the aim was to take the town of Vicksburg, despite not seeming to be of much importance, this was the 'nail-head' that held the two half's of the confederate land together, also if Vicksburg was captured the confederates wouldn't be able to use the Mississippi river for trade or the movement of troops. However there is one issue that is overlooked here, Davis, the confederate leader knew that Vicksburg was important but only in a symbolic way, there was now little trade travelling up and down the Mississippi, nevertheless the loss of Vicksburg would still be a huge blow to the southern morale.
Where as at Gettysburg there wasn't as much of a clear laid out plan, the south had realised that the only way they could get Lincoln to accept a southern peace settlement was to win victories on northern soil, hence why Lees troops were sent into Tennessee instead of sent to reinforce Vicksburg. The aim was simple, to win a victory on northern soil, however this would prove more difficult than first thought, when Lee left to go north he was being pursued by the union general Hooker who had little idea of where he was going. Hooker was soon replaced by General Meade, and it was by sheer luck that rebel soldiers looking for shoes stumbled on union troops at Gettysburg, which resulted in this being the ground on which the greatest battle ever fort on American soil, would be set.