[Taz's Master]

I disagree to some extent to with the last two points.

The Confederacy would have won if Lincoln had lost his re-election bid.

Also, the single biggest loss to the Confederacy was that of Stonewall Jackson. Woulda, coulda, shoulda, and all that, but if Jackson had been at Gettysburg, he would have taken Little Round Top. That would have likely been the difference in the battle, and if Lee wasn't turned away at Gettysburg, who knows how the war ends. So I also believe the brilliance of the generals (especially Jackson) was crucial. I also believe that Grant is one of our nation's least appreciated military minds, and he was central to a Union victory. Call a Union victory inevitable if you like, but the North went through plenty of generals before they found one that could/would win.