Which battle resulted in no clear winner but boosted Lincoln's confidence?

The Battle of Antietam, fought on September 17, 1862, is recognized as a significant turning point in the American Civil War, despite resulting in no decisive victor. It stands out as the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with a staggering number of casualties. The reason this battle boosted President Abraham Lincoln’s confidence is that, although it was tactically inconclusive, it provided a strategic advantage by halting the advance of Confederate General Robert E. Lee into the North.

This military setback for the Confederacy allowed Lincoln to take the bold step of issuing the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. By framing the war as a fight against slavery, Lincoln aimed to galvanize support for the Union cause and discourage foreign intervention on behalf of the Confederacy. The timing of this order, coming after the Antietam battle, was crucial in shaping both the morale of the Union and the political landscape of the war.

In contrast, other battles mentioned did not share this specific significance. The Battle of Bull Run was an early Confederate victory which disheartened Union forces. The Battle of Gettysburg was a decisive Union victory but came later in the war and was not characterized by a lack of clear winners. Similarly, the Battle of