Land, horses, cattle.
An Army of a million men and a Navy of 500 ships does not seem like half measures.
Why did it take four years?
Cite the law that makes it illegal. All war is fought for political reasons.
Due process. Article 4, section 2.
“Land, horses, cattle”
Cite the orders where Lincoln exempted Southern land, horses and cattle from being destroyed, seized or eaten.
The war would have take a couple of weeks if the Confederate Government was party to the agreement. If not it would take considerably longer.
The Confederates decided they did not want to be Citizens of the United States. Therefore The article cited is irrelevant. It applies only to U.S. Citizens.