Gettysburg - the High-Water Mark

As previously stated, Gettysburg is the point in the war that is most often regarded as the turning point. This is because Gettysburg has a physical line known as the “the High-Water Mark,” which is the most northern location that the Confederate Army ever reached. It was at this point that Confederate General Robert E. Lee and his troops were turned around due to a failed offensive, known as Pickett's Charge. This charge caused the Confederacy to lose too many men and supply. They could no longer continue their northern push. Allen Guelzo uses these ideas to justify his claim that Gettysburg is the turning point of the war. However, Guelzo being a historian at Gettysburg College, may play a part in glorifying the Gettysburg battle. Despite this limitation, Guelzo is supported by a letter coming from General Robert E. Lee. Following Gettysburg, General Lee sent a letter to the President of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis, regarding the situation of the Army of Northern Virginia. In this letter he expresses his fear over the Union being able to reimburse their troops, while “no addition can be made to [their] numbers.” By providing first hand evidence that the Confederacy had limited supplies and men, we can see the detriments that came after Gettysburg. However, by looking at the Surrender of Vicksburg, we may find more compelling evidence.

Vicksburg, a city along the Mississippi, was the final battle in the Union’s attempt to take the river. Fraser claims that this taking of Vicksburg gave the Union a decisive advantage in supplies and communication. However, Fraser fails to acknowledge the significance that Gettysburg had in this regard, failing to disprove any counterclaims.