IMHO it all started to go “south” for the confederacy at Ft. Donelson.
The Vicksburg campaign spelled it’s doom.
JMO
I tend to agree with your assessment of the loss of Ft. Donelson. That effectively lost most of Tennessee for most of the remainder of the war, except for a few short episodes. As to Vicksburg, I have often stated that while the South failed to win the war at Gettysburg with the tactical drawn battle and strategic withdrawal of Lee on 04 July 1863, the South effectively lost the war at Vicksburg with the surrender of Pemberton to Grant 04 July 1863. I have ancestors that were at both events. It was a truly sad day for the Confederacy. However, I am very proud that they all did their duty to defend their nation and all remained true to the very end.
"...why, land is the only thing in the world worth working for, worth fighting for, worth dying for,... because it is the only thing that lasts."
