Lincoln's reelection (BCOF)

I was amazed at how close an election Lincoln's 2nd term had been. So much subterfuge, politics, dishonesty, mudslinging, trash-talking, and just plain out treason there was. If Sherman had not been successful Lincoln most likely would have lost and the Current U.S.A. would probably look more like Europe and human rights would have been irrevocably set back. The battlefield of politics was every bit as important. I think this idea more than any other is glossed over.