[center][b][u]The Gruelling Effects of War[/u][/b][/center]

The election loomed close for Lincoln. The Union had had some victories, but the population was growing weary of war, and victory in the election was far from a certain thing for Lincoln. Hoping to end the war as soon as possible, he drafted the Enrollment Act, which was passed by Congress. This allowed for wider conscription of men, but the new conscripts were mostly factory workers and knew little of soldier life. It would take a while before the new recruits could be trained. There was also a widespread outrage in the Union over conscription, with many comparing conscription with slavery, and draft riots in New York City killed dozens, wounded hundreds, and caused a large amount of damage.
(+100,000 conscripts, -5% public support for the USA)

Determined to not let Grant bully him all the way to Charleston, Thomas decided to push northwards to try and force Grant back. With both sides recieving reinforcements, the size of the armies dwarfed anything seen on the North American continent before. Thomas' Army of Northern Virginia, numbering 160,000, faced the 250,000 strong Army of the Potomac. Thomas gave the orders to advance, surprising Grant, who had expected him to continue to use a defensive strategy. The Army of Northern Virginia moved northwest, hoping to get around the Army of the Potomac and make a break for Washington. Grant immediately sent an advance guard to cut them off, before rousing his main force to give chase. Thomas overran the advance guard, but it did slow him down for long enough for Grant to catch up and force a battle near the town of Roxboro. Thomas had planned on leaving a rearguard to hold off Grant while he advanced forward, should this situation come to pass, and to try and counter this, Grant was forced to split his army and engage with only half his men while the others swung round to the north of the Confederates. The battle almost immediately swung in favour of the Confederates, with the experienced soldiers sending a hail of fire onto the Union force. Casualties were piling up, but Grant held firm, trusting in his subordinate Winfield S Hancock. His faith was not misplaced. The remaining half of the Army of the Potomac engaged the Army of Northern Virginia a few hours after midday. The now surrounded Confederate army fought on bravely. Thomas, realising his attempt on marching on Washington had been foiled once again, broke out through the weaker flank of the Union army and moved south again. The Army of the Potomac, shocked by their huge losses, allowed Thomas to escape. The north had won once again, but at such a high cost, many wondered if it was worth it.
(-62,300 conscripts to the USA, -28,400 conscripts to the CSA)

Sherman once again attempted to take Atlanta. Lee, perhaps feeling sorry that he had made so many attempts without success, decided the best strategy was to withdraw during the night and regroup southeast. Sherman entered the city, but a few hours later, came under attack as Lee attempted to circle around the city and cut off Sherman's supply lines. However, it was not to be as easy as Lee hoped; Shermans army was around the same size as Grant's was, and Sherman was able to put the pressure of sheer weight of numbers against Lee. Deciding that surrounding Sherman would not be an option, Lee was forced to abandon his gambit and withdraw south. Sherman, having finally captured the city of Atlanta, embarked on what he described as a 'march to the sea', claiming he would burn his way to the city of Savannah, cutting the Confederacy in half. However, Lee met him at the outskirts of the town of Macon. Having the advantage of terrain once again, Lee ground Sherman's advance to a halt, and although he couldn't defeat them completely, he managed to force Sherman back, to wait out the winter in Atlanta before trying again in the new year.
(-41,100 conscripts to the USA, -19,700 conscripts to the CSA)

The newly formed Army of East Tennessee, 40,000 strong under the command of General Edward Porter Alexander, made plans to move north to attempt to recapture Nashville. However, news that Atlanta had fallen shocked Alexander, and he was indecisive as to whether he should carry on or not. When he finally decided to follow orders and march, a series of technical failures and poor experience of the men delayed him so long that he decided he would not make it before winter came. Alexander did not move his army, instead staying in his camp and relaying instructions back to Charleston, ready to either move forward in the new year or move east to assist Lee.

On Tuesday 8th November, 1864, Lincoln once again ran for Presidency. His opponent was George B. McClellan, who had been put forward as the Democrat condidate due to his popularity after his vicory in capturing Richmont earlier in the war. Lincoln used Sherman's recent success in capturing Atlanta as propaganda to further his campaign, and as the votes were counted, it seemed to pay off, although only just. 4,031,887 votes were cast, with Lincoln gaining 2,118,388 of them, McClellan gaining 1,913,499 votes. Lincoln retained the Presidency of the United States of America.