[wasp69]

Although Lincoln always held out the hand of forgiveness and conciliation to the rebels...

Provocation of the fall of Sumter, Shenandoah Valley, Camp Chase, Atlanta, New Orleans, Columbia, Charleston.... Hand of forgiveness and conciliation. Right. Sure. Pull the other leg, Walt, it plays Jingle Bells.

...he told a delegation from Maryland that if 75,000 Marylanders opposed the passage of Union troops, they might find 75,000 graves.

As well as he should have. A stand up fight is one thing, killing non-combattants is another. One is honorable, the other is simply killing for the sake of killing.

You criticise President Lincoln because you don't fancy the outcome of the war.
It's just more "mean old Lincoln kicked our rebel butts!"

No, Walt, just counter point to those who pass on the Lincoln lie as some kind of absolute truth.

[WhiskeyPapa]

Although Lincoln always held out the hand of forgiveness and conciliation to the rebels...

Provocation of the fall of Sumter, Shenandoah Valley, Camp Chase, Atlanta, New Orleans, Columbia, Charleston.... Hand of forgiveness and conciliation. Right. Sure. Pull the other leg, Walt, it plays Jingle Bells.

All through 1862 President LIncoln suggested compensated emancipation if the rebel states would agree to acknowledge the national authority. Late in 1862 he determined on an emancipation proclamation. Even that- had a provision for slave holders to keep their slaves if, within 100 days the national authority was acknowledged.

In February 1865, President Lincoln suggested that $400,000,000 in bonds be made available to the rebel states if they would acknowledge the national authority.

President Lincoln always held out the hand of concilation and forgiveness to the rebels. The record is plain on that.

Walt