Sounds to me like he was just telling the truth. He WOULD know more about the war than the press.
Lincoln spent many, many hours in the telegraph office in Washington getting the latest info from his commanders in the field. There was very little the press could have added.
Probably, but not necessarily, communications being what they were. His propaganda may have been more accurate, maybe not. Generals have a tendency to put their best foot forward as well.
Perhaps I chose the exact wrong quote from Mr. Lincoln. It was just the first thing that came to mind. It was an obvious observation but was indicative of Mr. Lincoln’s attitude toward not only the war but many other things as well.
In one biography one of his two assistants is quoted as saying that he and his comrade knew Lincoln intimately and that the man was in no way humble. He thought exceptionally highly of his intellectual abilities.