I do not bash Lincoln like some Southern Patriots around here do. I am glad the USA is one country. It's good to hear that the Southern part of the USA had a positive effect on the rest, for not only is this true, but it shows that the South is a decent part of the country.
Back to Lincoln. He did what he had to do. The changes in warfare that occured while not just, were natural given the superiority of Southern military know-how versus Northern might in armarments and men. In war things escalate and get out of hand. I'm sure the commandant of Andersonville didn't want to mistreat his prisoners but ugly things happened on both sides.
Had I been alive then I would have first plead to not dissolve the Union, but, like Robert E. Lee, once Alabama had seceded I would have fought for my native land. And had I lived through that terrible conflict, I would have supported Lincoln's version of reconciliation.
Lincoln's assassination set the South back 100 years. It was a devastation for us.
Some great and ironic points in your post. Thanks. However, I’m not sure Lincoln could have rescued Reconstruction as it extended for many more years than Lincoln’s power had he lived beyond assassination.
I disagree with your assessment as follows:
The War of 1861 was a transitional war in terms of tactics. In the beginning (1861-1863) it was fought with the tactics of the Napoleonic era. Those who were best trained in Napoleonic tactics (particularly the southern officers) had the advantage.
However, in the later years (1864-1865) the tactics became more like World War I where trench warfare became the option. The industrial might of the north prevailed as did the northern generals who were more able to adapt to that style of "total war".