Abraham Lincoln, Union Military, and Civil Warfare: New Dimensions

In the 1864 presidential election, the Union military overwhelmingly supported Abraham Lincoln, leading many to believe they backed the Republican Party and its anti-slavery stance. However, Jonathan W. White challenges this view in his book "Emancipation, the Union Army, and the Reelection of Abraham Lincoln." He argues that the soldiers' vote may not accurately reflect their true political beliefs. Despite 78% voting for Lincoln, White suggests other factors like voter turnout, polling intimidation, and soldiers' choices in other elections that year also played a role.

Throughout the Civil War, many soldiers in the Union Army underwent a shift in their perspectives on slavery and emancipation. White's research highlights how a significant number of troops who supported Lincoln still harbored reservations about the Republican platform or his stance on slavery. Opting for the Democratic ticket was seen as disloyal and defeatist by these individuals, echoing sentiments shared by many in the North. By delving into previously overlooked court-martial records and manuscripts from various sources nationwide, White challenges prevalent assumptions about this historical period and enriches our comprehension of the Union military's complexities and dynamics.