[ought-six]

By February 1865, just months before the end of the War, Lincoln could afford to be magnanimous. But where was his charity two years earlier, in February, 1863? Ooops, he was of a different mindset then, because his precious Army of the Potomac was on the ropes.

[Grand Old Partisan]

"his precious Army of the Potomac" -- which was part of the United States Army, making it precious to all patriots, then and now.