Lincoln on Trial: Southern Civilians and the Law of War

Abstract

In light of recent controversies and legal actions related to America\u27s treatment of enemy prisoners in the Middle East and Guantánamo Bay, the regulation of government during wartime has become a volatile issue on the global scene. By today\u27s standards, Abraham Lincoln\u27s adherence to the laws of war could be considered questionable, and his critics, past and present, have not hesitated to charge that he was a war criminal. This book conducts an extensive analysis of Lincoln\u27s leadership throughout the Civil War as he struggled to balance his own humanity against the demands of his generals. The author specifically scrutinizes Lincoln\u27s conduct toward Southerners in light of the international legal standards of his time as the president wrestled with issues that included bombardment of cities, collateral damage to civilians, seizure and destruction of property, forced relocation, and the slaughter of hostages. The book investigates a wide range of historical materials from accounts of the Dahlgren raid to the voices of Southern civilians who bore the brunt of extensive wartime destruction. Through analysis of both historic and modern standards of behavior in times of war, a sobering yet sympathetic portrait of one of America\u27s most revered presidents emerges.https://uknowledge.uky.edu/upk_united_states_history/1178/thumbnail.jp