How did General William T Sherman help President Lincoln's successful reelection to the US presidency in November of 1860?

Answer 1

When Union General Sherman forced the surrender of Atlanta, Georgia, it was a major success as the large Georgia city was among other thins a large railway hub linking together main cities and ports in the South. All during the Summer of 1864, Lincoln was concerned that the Republican party would not re-nominate him for the November US presidential election. In fact at one point that Summer, John Fre'mont was a possible Republican candidate. The fall of Atlanta was widely hailed by the Northern press and was key to Lincoln's successful reelection against Democrat, George B. McClellan.

Answer 2

When Sherman took Atlanta, the voters realized that victory was within the Union grasp and southern surrender was just a matter of time.