A better analogy would be Vicksburg. Vicksburg surrendered on 4 July, 1863, and, more than anything else, was the real hammer blow from which the south would never recover.

With the Kississippi closed to southern trade, it also cut the Confederacy in two, and made not only supplying the country, but controlling the war much harder as to be nigh impossible. It basically turned the the civillwar into three seperate wars, and made the final defeat possible.

For the Islamo-Fascists, losing Anbar Province is the equivilant of losing Atlanta. It is a visible sign of who is making progress, that both our enemies AND our allies can see. It also places the word directly into the Iraqi ear: This thing can work!

Gettysburg was an important battle, and some few months later provided a memorial platform for Lincoln to address both sides as to the true convictions in the Federal Government.

However, the real, physical blow that started the end for the Confederacy came at Vicksburg.

Respects,