Yes, I have a strong positive view of Lincoln, which I think many "traditionalists" may have missed. Lincoln was brilliant politically and as commander in chief. Lincoln looked at the U.S. Constitution with a larger "U.S." and smaller "state". The Confederacy never saw it coming; that's why they lost.
Background wise, I've been doing a fairly intense study over the last year and a half. I'm mostly into original books and documents written by Civil War participants, the Original Orders, and fine little website gems on the Civil War.
I'm a senior citizen, as they say, with no old position to defend. I sometimes feel sorry for some of the veteran historians that have to look back and defend a Civil War history written 30 years ago. I have no such obstacles.
I throughly enjoy forums, but would never participate in one of those live discussion groups, limited by time and sometimes too much personality. The forum gives one the limits of one's time to research and present arguments without much formality. One also get the measure of what positions, with which he disagrees. It can make for an enjoyable hobby.
Haven't seen you here before (failing eyesight I suppose).
We have a lot in common in terms of reading material. For every book written by a non-participant, I tend to read two by participants. This doesn't count original documents either. Historians can be useful as they may have already provided the answer to the question we seek (heck, I email questions to National Park Historians all the time and they're really on top of it) and the bibliographies of their books are excellent starting points to conduct research. Still, first hand accounts are always the most fun for me to read.
BTW, I also agree with you on Lincoln being quite the strategist. Being a non-military man, he had an excellent grasp of grand strategy which was rivalled only by Scott and Grant. As to being a Constitutionalist, well, he kinda sorta looked the other way and did things that would make the ACLU howl.
welcome and I look forwrd to your contributions and views.
__________________ Few take the trouble to understand or to view the American scene with perspective. And we Americans love to find ourselves guilty of something. However, it is never I who am guilty, but those other Americans, the past or present government or the other political party. Americans almost never find other countries guilty. It is always ourselves or our fancied influence in other countries. Louis L'amour
Thanks for coming down to the meet and greet area. I agree the forum format is the way to go if you want to debate in some detail and provide documented proof of your position. And this board is the best as far as I am concerned. I really think you are going to like it hear and I know you are going to draw some attention by the way you have already posted on some threads!
Glad to have you on board.
Sincerely,
Unionblue
__________________ "The American people and the Government at Washington may refuse to recognize it for a time but the inexorable logic of events will force it upon them in the end; that the war now being waged in this land is a war for and against slavery." Frederick Douglass
"Loyalty to our ancestors does not include loyalty to their mistakes." George Santayana
I'm sure you will enjoy your stay here. I too think it's one of the finest forums around.
Your obedient servant, sir,
__________________ Thea
No one has permission to use any material from any of my posts on any CWT forum, the archives, or any other forum without my express written permission.
Welcome to the site. A most enjoyable civil war forum. Good to have you aboard
Calicoboy
__________________ My dear mother:- I have come safely through two more terrible engagements with the enemy, that at South Mountain and the great battle of yesterday (Antietam). Our splendid regiment is almost destroyed. We have had nearly 400 men killed and wounded in the battles. Seven of our officers were shot and three killed in yesterday's battle and nearly 150 men killed and wounded. All from less than 300 engaged. The men have stood like iron....Maj. Rufus Dawes, 6th Wisconsin Volunteers
Welcome, Whitworth. You have obviously determined the nature of the group and I look forward to your contributions, especially those from first-person (however many years influence the recollection) accounts. Memory-enhance or not, they are always interesting and frequently enlightening.
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Thanks for the warm greeting unionblue 
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