A presidential election then agitated the North.

Mr.Lincoln represented the national cause, and General McClellan had accepted the nomination of the Democratic party, whose platform was that the war was a failure, and that it was better to allow the South to go free to establish a separate government, whose corner-stone should be slavery.

Success to our arms at that instant was therefore a political necessity; and it was all-important that something startling in our interest should occur before the election in November.

The brilliant success at Atlanta filled that requirement, and made the election of Mr.Lincoln certain.

Among the many letters of congratulation received, those of Mr.Lincoln and General Grant seem most important: EXECUTIVE MANSION WASHINGTON, D.C.September 3, 1864.
The national thanks are rendered by the President to Major-General W.T.Sherman and the gallant officers and soldiers of his command before Atlanta, for the distinguished ability and perseverance displayed in the campaign in Georgia, which, under Divine favor, has resulted in the capture of Atlanta.