Three Pro-Lincoln Civil War Letters During 1864 Election

A fantastic collection of three Civil War letters discussing the 1864 election between incumbent Abraham Lincoln and General George B. McClellan. Dating from September 10, 1864, to November 4, 1864, the letters reveal the opinions of three Union civilians and soldiers who were in support of Lincoln over McClellan. All have flattened mail folds, with light toning and soiling throughout. Very good overall.

Highlights from the letters include:
September 10, 1864, Boston - Samuel M. Blodgett (3rd Wisconsin Infantry) to his Cousin Lizzie Barnes. [With envelope]: "…We are having a rumor on the Street today that Mobile is captured but with how much truth I do not know. I hope that it is so for then I should think that the Rebellion was about played out. Is your Father going to vote for Lincoln or McClelland this fall?..."

October 11, 1864, Georgetown, D.C. (Seminary U.S. General Hospital) - Russell M. Jones (10th New York Heavy Artillery) to his Father: "…A few weeks ago Sarah wrote me that someone said that in taking a test vote in our regiment I hesitated some but finally gave my vote for George B. McClellan. Whoever intimated or said such a think fold that which is false. I never had a thought of voting for McClellan and should be ashamed of myself if I thought of doing so now. 'Honest old Abe' will get my vote if my life is spared to cast a vote, as he will of all truly loyal men. I hope you will use all your influence for his election as I am sure you will…"

November 4, 1864, New Orleans - Daniel P. Ellsworth (34th Indiana Infantry) to his Cousin Benjamin G. Shinn. [With envelope]: "…I intended to see the end of this infernal Rebellion before that can be, well I suppose that the Election has gone off and we are very anxious to know how it went but I suppose there is no doubt but what Old Abe will get it. If he don’t then I begin to fear for our country for that infernal McClellan will get such men as Vallandigham and Wood and such other trash…but I think there is no danger of his getting the Election not from what Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania said at their fall Elections…"

Clement Vallandigham (1820-1871) openly criticized Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, proclaiming that "war for the Union was abandoned; war for the Negro openly begun." In 1863, he was arrested and court-martialed by the Army for expressing opposition to the war and for disobeying General Burnside's General Order No. 38, which banned the "habit of declaring sympathies for the enemy" in the Military District of Ohio, Vallandigham was convicted and exiled to the Confederate States of America.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!