As 1862 transitioned to 1863, virtually everything concerning the Civil War was working against Lincoln. The increasing dissatisfaction of Lincoln in the North weren’t only due to the results on the battlefield, but also state elections of 1862/1863, where Republicans lost governorships in NY and NJ. The Congressional Elections of 1862 did not favor the Republicans, with the Democrats gaining 27 seats in the House, denying the Republicans an outright majority. In the new Congress, the Republicans would have to form a coalition with the pro-war Unionist Democrats to form a majority, which was the only way to keep the anti-Lincoln Democrats from running the show in the House.
The Republicans lost seats in large part due to heavy Union casualties in competitive House districts, the Northern reaction to the Emancipation Proclamation, the seemingly endless Union defeats on the battlefield, and the suspension of Habeas Corpus in some areas. During December 1862, the Union suffered its worst and most costly defeat in the Civil War yet at
Fredericksburg (VA), with Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia lying in wait, entrenched at Marye’s Heights; Union General Ambrose Burnside ordered 14 suicidal Union charges on the entrenched Confederate army before retreating.
The Republicans lost seats in large part due to heavy Union casualties in competitive House districts, the Northern reaction to the Emancipation Proclamation, the seemingly endless Union defeats on the battlefield, and the suspension of Habeas Corpus in some areas. During December 1862, the Union suffered its worst and most costly defeat in the Civil War yet at
Fredericksburg (VA), with Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia lying in wait, entrenched at Marye’s Heights; Union General Ambrose Burnside ordered 14 suicidal Union charges on the entrenched Confederate army before retreating.
On 1 January 1863, Lincoln formally issued the Emancipation Proclamation. News of the formal emancipation raced throughout the nation on telegraph lines. The Emancipation Proclamation served as a military weapon, leading to a greater number of slaves leaving Southern plantations, denying the CSA the level of forced labor that they so desperately needed to continue to fight the war. Lincoln’s emancipation also served as a weapon in foreign affairs, in that Britain and France would not be able to formally recognize the CSA and make alliances. Lincoln needed to diplomatically isolate the CSA while also weakening the South’s ability to wage war: the Emancipation Proclamation achieved both of Lincoln’s aims. In the North, the Emancipation Proclamation at least partially satisfied the Abolitionists, while still being in the acceptable range for many Northerners, who had little-or-no-interest in racial equality. To Lincoln, the Emancipation Proclamation was a blow against slavery, but not necessarily a measure toward racial equality.
The Emancipation Proclamation inspired many in the North, and served as an additional “reason” for the Union to fight the Civil War, supplanting “Preserve the Union” in the minds of many people. While the proclamation inspired many Northerners, it created political hell for Lincoln in early-1863, who now feared Democratic opposition to the war more so than Union military failures and stalemate. Embedded in the Democratic opposition to the war were shadow organizations whose desire was to overthrow the Union government, end the war, and allow the CSA to be a separate nation. These opposing political forces in the North were every bit as dug-in with their hatred of Lincoln as was the South. Lincoln understood that the only way to minimize the power and influence of the Northern opposition was to turn the tide of the war and prevail.
The Emancipation Proclamation inspired many in the North, and served as an additional “reason” for the Union to fight the Civil War, supplanting “Preserve the Union” in the minds of many people. While the proclamation inspired many Northerners, it created political hell for Lincoln in early-1863, who now feared Democratic opposition to the war more so than Union military failures and stalemate. Embedded in the Democratic opposition to the war were shadow organizations whose desire was to overthrow the Union government, end the war, and allow the CSA to be a separate nation. These opposing political forces in the North were every bit as dug-in with their hatred of Lincoln as was the South. Lincoln understood that the only way to minimize the power and influence of the Northern opposition was to turn the tide of the war and prevail.
To win the war, Lincoln needed many more Union soldiers, and he sought Congressional authority for a military draft. Northern opponents of the war viewed Lincoln’s pursuit of a draft as proof of his absolute contempt for the Constitution. The Enrollment Act of 1863 required men ages 20 - 45 to register for the draft. Those that could afford a $300 fee ($7323 in 2022 dollars) were allowed to buy their way out of the draft, or to pay and send a substitute in their stead. Working class men in the Union especially resisted the draft, since as with all wars it was a “Rich Man’s War and a Poor Man’s Fight”. That anger boiled over in the Summer of 1863 with the New York City Draft Riots, with a violent white mob targeting Black Americans. As the session of Congress was in its final days before 4 March 1863, the outgoing Republican majority passed a flurry of legislation, among which was Congressional sanction for Lincoln to suspend Habeas Corpus where he thought it was necessary, which further enraged Northern opposition.
During late-May and early-June 1863, a Union defeat that was worse than Fredericksburg occurred at Chancellorsville (VA). Despite having all the advantages before the battle, superior strategic and tactical military leadership from Lee and Stonewall Jackson led to the Union defeat (as well as the decisions and hesitations from Union General Joseph Hooker). Chancellorsville proved to be a Pyrrhic Victory for Lee, in that his army’s casualties were horrific, and General Jackson was accidentally shot by Confederate pickets (and died two weeks later), which denied Lee his “Right Hand Man”. Lee knew that the size of the Army of Northern Virginia (over half the soldiers were from outside of VA) would become smaller-and-smaller as the war continued, even though Lee hadn’t yet lost a battle.
During late-May and early-June 1863, a Union defeat that was worse than Fredericksburg occurred at Chancellorsville (VA). Despite having all the advantages before the battle, superior strategic and tactical military leadership from Lee and Stonewall Jackson led to the Union defeat (as well as the decisions and hesitations from Union General Joseph Hooker). Chancellorsville proved to be a Pyrrhic Victory for Lee, in that his army’s casualties were horrific, and General Jackson was accidentally shot by Confederate pickets (and died two weeks later), which denied Lee his “Right Hand Man”. Lee knew that the size of the Army of Northern Virginia (over half the soldiers were from outside of VA) would become smaller-and-smaller as the war continued, even though Lee hadn’t yet lost a battle.
The Union disaster at Chancellorsville was Lincoln’s nadir, but he shook off his depression and desperation since he was determined to stay the course. As the month of June 1863 came to an end, Lincoln cabled a Union officer, asking him if there were any reports of Lee moving into PA. By 4 July 1863, at long last, came news of two pivotal Union victories: Gettysburg
and Vicksburg. Vicksburg (MS) was the true turning point of the Civil War, in that by taking the last section of the Mississippi River held by the CSA, the Union split the Confederacy in two, isolating TX, LA, and AR. Vicksburg also allowed Lincoln to make a move that he’d been waiting to do for quite some time: elevate Grant to overall commander for all the Union armies. It would take Congressional approval for Grant to be appointed Lieutenant General, which wouldn’t occur until early-March 1864.
Lesser but still very important events occurred during the Summer of 1863 as well, such as Black Regiments engaging Confederate forces, most famously at Fort Wagner (SC) with the 54th Massachusetts. During September 1863, the Battle of Chickamauga (TN) resulted in a Union victory under the command of General William Rosecrans over Confederate General Braxton Bragg's army - the Union path to Atlanta was now far less daunting as a result. The combined casualties of Chickamauga were second only to Gettysburg (which is the largest battle in the history of the Western Hemisphere).
and Vicksburg. Vicksburg (MS) was the true turning point of the Civil War, in that by taking the last section of the Mississippi River held by the CSA, the Union split the Confederacy in two, isolating TX, LA, and AR. Vicksburg also allowed Lincoln to make a move that he’d been waiting to do for quite some time: elevate Grant to overall commander for all the Union armies. It would take Congressional approval for Grant to be appointed Lieutenant General, which wouldn’t occur until early-March 1864.
Lesser but still very important events occurred during the Summer of 1863 as well, such as Black Regiments engaging Confederate forces, most famously at Fort Wagner (SC) with the 54th Massachusetts. During September 1863, the Battle of Chickamauga (TN) resulted in a Union victory under the command of General William Rosecrans over Confederate General Braxton Bragg's army - the Union path to Atlanta was now far less daunting as a result. The combined casualties of Chickamauga were second only to Gettysburg (which is the largest battle in the history of the Western Hemisphere).
19 November 1863, the Gettysburg Address:
Edward Everett (MA), a former SecState and former President of Harvard, universally famous in the North, was to be the main speaker at the formal dedication of the Gettysburg Cemetery. Lincoln was invited, almost as an afterthought; SecState Seward traveled with Lincoln to Gettysburg, who by this point had become Lincoln’s closest ally in the Cabinet. Everett spoke for two hours, after which Lincoln spoke at 2 pm, and delivered what would become one of the greatest, in not the greatest, Presidential speech in US History.
Lincoln needed another reason for the Union to continue to fight the Civil War, with “Preserving the Union” and “Human Rights” (Emancipation Proclamation), having run their course. Lincoln basically used the Gettysburg Address to provide a third reason for the Union to continue the Civil War - a “Guilt Trip” of sorts, in that Lincoln practically dared Northerners to not allow those that had lost their lives, and those that would lose their lives (both North and South), to die in vain. Lincoln’s speech lasted about two minutes. The reaction of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address in the press fell along predictable partisan lines, with Democrat-friendly newspapers unimpressed, with some ridiculing Lincoln. Republican-friendly newspapers thought Lincoln’s address was splendid, touching, and inspiring. Everett wrote Lincoln saying that in two minutes the President had accomplished far more than he had in two hours.
Edward Everett (MA), a former SecState and former President of Harvard, universally famous in the North, was to be the main speaker at the formal dedication of the Gettysburg Cemetery. Lincoln was invited, almost as an afterthought; SecState Seward traveled with Lincoln to Gettysburg, who by this point had become Lincoln’s closest ally in the Cabinet. Everett spoke for two hours, after which Lincoln spoke at 2 pm, and delivered what would become one of the greatest, in not the greatest, Presidential speech in US History.
Lincoln needed another reason for the Union to continue to fight the Civil War, with “Preserving the Union” and “Human Rights” (Emancipation Proclamation), having run their course. Lincoln basically used the Gettysburg Address to provide a third reason for the Union to continue the Civil War - a “Guilt Trip” of sorts, in that Lincoln practically dared Northerners to not allow those that had lost their lives, and those that would lose their lives (both North and South), to die in vain. Lincoln’s speech lasted about two minutes. The reaction of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address in the press fell along predictable partisan lines, with Democrat-friendly newspapers unimpressed, with some ridiculing Lincoln. Republican-friendly newspapers thought Lincoln’s address was splendid, touching, and inspiring. Everett wrote Lincoln saying that in two minutes the President had accomplished far more than he had in two hours.