Existing comment:
1864
The third year of the Civil War saw the advance of Union arms and the gradual retreat of Confederate forces on all fronts. To modern eyes, 150 years later, the eventual defeat of the Confederacy seemed all but assured.
At the time, however, the final outcome remained unclear, and 1864 would prove to be the bloodiest year of the war. By mid-summer, President Lincoln admitted that the North was nearly exhausted and began to doubt his re-election. The capture of Atlanta in September and overwhelming support among the soldier vote in November ensured Lincoln's re-election and the continuation of the war. |