Tried by War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief

299 Pages·2008·2.15 MB·English

by  James M. McPherson

T W
RIED BY AR
ALSO BY JAMES M. MCPHERSON

The Struggle for Equality
The Negro’s Civil War
The Abolitionist Legacy
Ordeal by Fire
Battle Cry of Freedom
Abraham Lincoln and the Second American Revolution
What They Fought For, 1861–1865
Drawn with the Sword
For Cause and Comrades
Crossroads of Freedom
Hallowed Ground
This Mighty Scourge
TRIED BY WAR

ABRAHAM LINCOLN
AS
COMMANDER
IN CHIEF
James M. McPherson

THE PENGUIN PRESS
NEW YORK
2008
THE PENGUIN PRESS
Published by the Penguin Group
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First published in 2008 by The Penguin Press,
a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Copyright © James M. McPherson, 2008
All rights reserved
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
McPherson, James M.
Tried by war: Abraham Lincoln as commander in chief / James M. McPherson.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN: 978-1-4406-5245-5
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809–1865—Military leadership. 2. United States—History—Civil War, 1861–1865. 3.
United States—Politics and government—1861–1865. 4. Executive power—United States—History—19th
century. 5. Presidents—United States—Biography.
I. Title.
E457.2.M478 2008
973.7092—dc22
2008025229
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To Pat, for fifty years of
marriage and history
The insurgent leader…does not attempt to deceive us. He affords us no excuse to deceive ourselves. He can
not voluntarily reaccept the Union; we can not voluntarily yield it. Between him and us the issue is distinct,
simple, and inflexible. It is an issue which can only be tried by war and decided by victory.
—Lincoln’s annual message to Congress, December 6, 1864
CONTENTS

PREFACE

Introduction

1. The Quest for a Strategy, 1861

2. The Bottom Is Out of the Tub

3. You Must Act

4. A Question of Legs

5. Destroy the Rebel Army, If Possible

6. The Promise Must Now Be Kept
7. Lee’s Army, and Not Richmond, Is Your True
Objective Point

8. The Heaviest Blow Yet Dealt to the Rebellion

9. If It Takes Three Years More

10. No Peace Without Victory

Epilogue

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

NOTES

INDEX

PHOTOGRAPHIC INSERT