Lincoln Knew the Work Was Just Beginning

Civil War pitted neighbors against neighbors, brothers against brothers. Lincoln would have most assuredly avoided it if he had his druthers. He knew it was a horrible thing, and it divided the nation almost in two. It was not his idea, but as the Union leader, what could he do? He had the best generals who would quickly fill the nation’s need, War needed to be over quickly; he hoped in this they would succeed. Lincoln understood death, he had lost so many in his own family. Knew taste of grief, and hoped the war would not last long, incredibly. No delight in his step when the South surrendered, it was a sad day. Many neighbors and friends had been sacrificed in such a horrible way. Lincoln was an honest man, he knew the work was just beginning. He was not gloating or bragging about any sort of Union winning.