[SeeSharp]

But it also made possible the enlistment of almost 200,000 soldiers in the Union army as well.

You mean blacks? Lincoln opposed recruitment of black into the Union army. When congress forced it on him he came up with the infamous half pay policy.

[Non-Sequitur]

You mean blacks? Lincoln opposed recruitment of black into the Union army.

That's an odd statement to make, considering that the Emancipation Proclamation contained a clause saying, "And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service." I guess Lincoln just didn't read the proclamation before signing it, huh?

When congress forced it on him he came up with the infamous half pay policy

You make it sound like Lincoln came up with it all on his own. Do you have any qotes from him proposing it or supporting it? And what about the Southern no pay policy of conscripting slaves into service and then paying their owners a salary for their work?