The idea of using news media to spin a narrative and push a political agenda is hardly new. The Confederate Secret Service used that strategy to try and defeat President Lincoln.
The Civil War wasn't all large battles. The future of US special forces was inspired by Lincolnβs Union Scouts who fought Confederate commander Mosby with bravery and brains.
Near the end of the Civil War, the two sides started executing enemy soldiers. That led to an actual death lottery. But instead of it continuing, good men found the humanity to stop it.