This Fiery Trial, VI-VII

In the beginning of Lincoln's speeches and writings, he was weary to add emancipation to the Union's war aims and to use black soldiers in the war effort.  As the Civil War raged on, his views evolved significantly.  They changed so considerably that, by the end of the war, he was boldly calling for permanant emancipation, an anti-slavery amendment, and limited suffrage for African Americans.

Lincoln faced criticism regarding his emancipation proclamation and use of African Americans as soldiers.  He stood by these decisions.  He used the examples of Maryland and Missouri to explain how much opinion regarding emancipation had changed: "Maryland, and Missouri, neither of which three years ago would tolerate any restraint upon the extension of slavery into new territories, only dispute now as to the best mode of removing it within their own limits" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 2541-2542).  He argued that he had done nothing more than what the Constitution allowed him to do and reiterated that the proclamation was a war strategy to hurt the Confederacy.  He heralded the use of former slaves in the war effort as a huge success.  African Americans could "bear arms in the ranks; thus giving the double advantage of taking so much labor from the insurgent cause" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 2543-2544).  He went on to say that the new recruits had been tested and proven themselves to be good soldiers.

In regards to reconstruction, Lincoln made it clear that the emancipation of African Americans would stand.  Having slaves serve as soldiers by promising them their freedom, then taking that away, would "be a cruel and an astounding breach of faith" (Gienapp Kindle Location 2564).  Lincoln was willing to look forward and not backward regarding the rebel states.  He was willing to grant "a full pardon... to them and each of them, with restoration of all rights of property, except as to slaves" as long as they were willing to take an oath of allegiance to the United States (Gienapp Kindle Locations 2600-2601).  Lincoln, unlike some members of Congress, believed the oath should be reasonable as to encourage people to take it.  In Lincoln's prescribed oath, the former rebels must "faithfully support, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the union of the States thereunder; and... abide by and faithfully support all acts of Congress [and the President] passed during the existing rebellion with reference to slaves" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 2604-2605).  Lincoln wanted to require one-tenth of all people in a state to take the oath before a state government could be reestablished and would be protected and supported by the United States.  He agreed to be flexible in working with Congress on reconstruction.

Lincoln recommended limited black suffrage for those who had fought in the war and "the very intelligent" (Gienapp Kindle Location 2634).  Although this was his recommendation, he did not require it of the new state governments.  He also believed an anti-slavery amendment should be passed and "the sooner the better" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 2867-2868).  When the amendment was passed he called it a "great moral victory" (Gienapp Kindle Location 2952).

Lincoln believed "If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong" (Gienapp Kindle Location 2641).  Before the Civil War, he kept this as his personal belief, but did not push for or have plans to push for emancipation.  He did not believe at the start of the war that "domestic slavery would be much affected" (Gienapp Kindle Location 2673) or that colored troops would be used.  As the war went on and emancipation was adopted as a war strategy, Lincoln's views regarding the future of slavery morphed into more extreme and long-lasting plans.

This Fiery Trial, IV-V

In March 1862, Lincoln wanted Congress to offer federal funds to any states that agreed to gradual emancipation.  He believed gradual emancipation would be best for everyone.  Congress did pass a resolution that would give states financial support if they would agree to gradual emancipation.  The state could use this money at its discretion for any inconveniences caused by emancipation.  In a speech to the border state representatives he predicted that if the border states adopted emancipation it would cause the Confederacy to "see, definitely and certainly, that, in no event, will the states you represent ever join their proposed Confederacy, and they can not, much longer maintain the contest" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 1741-1742).  He hoped this would bring the war to a quick end.  The border states rejected the proposal.

Lincoln knew he was not experienced in war strategy.  As his experience grew, his confidence in his strategies also grew.  Lincoln was also willing to admit when his strategies were wrong.  In a letter on July 13, 1863, to Ulysses S. Grant, Lincoln wrote: "I now wish to make the personal acknowledgment that you were right, and I was wrong" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 2295-2296).

Lincoln and Union general, McClellan, often disagreed on war strategy.  McClellan sometimes ignored Lincoln’s orders.  McClellan was slow moving and defensive in strategy. He also reported that the number of men with him was lower than what he actually had with him and Lincoln called him out on it.  Lincoln tried to make him understand how important public opinion was and that the public demanded action. McClellan never learned this lesson until it was too late.  On April 9, 1862, in a letter to McClellan, Lincoln wrote: “once more let me tell you, it is indispensable to you that you strike a blow.” (Gienapp Kindle Locations 1695-1696)

McClellan often sent overly pessimistic reports to Lincoln.  Lincoln was typically able to remain level-headed in light of these reports.  After the Battle of Antietam, Lincoln wanted McClellan to pursue the Confederate army but McClellan moved so slowly that Lee and his army escaped.  McClellan was relieved of his position as commander for this reason.  For the rest of the war, Lincoln's primary strategy in Virginia was destroying Lee's army.

Lincoln wrote that he would be happy to receive the Confederate states back into the Union with full forgiveness, but he would not give them up.  His goal was "to save it the shortest way under the Constitution" (Gienapp Kindle Location 1871).  While some wanted Lincoln to focus on a goal of emancipation, he made it clear that his primary goal was bringing the Union back together.  In an August 1863 letter to newspaper editor Horace Greenly, Lincoln wrote: "If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 1874-1876).  Anything he did in regards to slavery, he did it wit the goal of reunification in mind.

In 1862, Lincoln was interested in African Americans started a colony somewhere else after they were liberated.  He believed that when slaves were granted their freedom they would be at a disadvantage to white men and it would be better for them to start over somewhere else.  African Americans were not interested in colonization.  Gradually, Lincoln gave this idea up.

A significant turning point in the Civil War was the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation.  After the Union victory at Antietam, Lincoln issued the preliminary proclamation on September 22, 1862.  The seceded states were given 100 days to rejoin the Union.  Those who did not rejoin, the slaves in those areas still in rebellion would be "forever free" (Gienapp Kindle Location 1899).  Lincoln stated that "Without slavery the rebellion could never have existed; without slavery it could not continue" (Gienapp Kindle Location 2018).

Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.  He was very confident that he was making the right decision.  He stood by his decision in a letter to a Union general: "After the commencement of hostilities I struggled nearly a year and a half to get along without touching the 'institution'; and when finally I conditionally determined to touch it, I gave a hundred days fair notice of my purpose, to all the States and people, within which time they could have turned it wholly aside, by simply again becoming good citizens of the United States" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 2110-2112).

During the war, the Union responded aggressively to criticism of the war.  Lincoln made the following accusation: "he who dissuades one man from volunteering, or induces one soldier to desert, weakens the Union cause as much as he who kills a union soldier in battle" (Gienapp Kindle Location 2213).  On being criticized that his war policies were unconstitutional, Lincoln claimed "these provisions of the constitution have no application to the case we have in hand" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 2190-2191).  He was happy to explain his reasoning behind war regulations regarding anti-war sentiment plainly.  He believed the safety of the Union required that habeas corpus be suspended and that the Constitution allowed for this in cases of rebellion.