Lot 76

1864 Presidential Election Letters (7) Including Anti-Abolition Content and Voting Results in the Regiments

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1864 Presidential Election Letters (7) Including Anti-Abolition Content and Voting Results in the Regiments

Estimate: $300 - $400

Current Bid: $70

(1 Bid)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

[Abraham Lincoln]
various, ca. September to November 1864
1864 Presidential Election Letters (7) Including Anti-Abolition Content and Voting Results in the Regiments
Archive

Archive of seven letters associated with the state of Illinois with content about Abraham Lincoln and the November 1864 presidential election. 26pp total, varying sizes (mostly 5" x 8" bifolia), various places; dated from September 15 to November 26, 1864. Includes an eighth letter written in 1861 on the death of Stephen A. Douglas. Overall, very good condition, with flattened folds and a few spots of foxing.

Includes:

Soldier's letter signed "Elmore" and "Geo." Written from "Camp of Company G 84 Regt N.G.S.N.Y. / Near Muddy Branch Md."; September 15, 1864. A strongly worded anti-McClellan letter, likening him to a traitor. In part: "I answer with all my heart for Abe. We old Soldiers and nearly all I meet from the Army who as you say once did cry McClellan are silent in his praise, his fame has fallen to the ground. Should he persist and go on in his suicidal career, the odium of an Arnold will rest upon his head. And upon a dark page in history will be found registered his name as one who dashed asunder the Laurells which might have honored him…Traitors have but two rights, a divine right, and a Constitutional right. They have a divine right to be damned and a constitutional right to be hung, and it is only through the extreme mercy of a forbearing God that they are permitted to live…"

Homefront letter signed, "Frank Talbot." Chicago; October 30, 1864. Anti abolition content letter, in part: "I hardly know how to answer the question of who I am going in for for President. I don't like Old Abe, and a little afraid of ‘Little Mac' though I can hardly believe he would consent to a dissolution of the Union… if Old Abe would let slavery alone I would go in for him, but I am afraid he can never bring the South back under the policy he is now pursuing and even if he can, he makes it a war for the n****. And says the black man is better than you and I. and if necessary to carry out his views we must fight& perhaps die for the n****. I don't like that. Lincoln appears to have but one odea which is to free the n****, and make slaves of the whites…"

Homefront letter signed, "Harriet." Calais, [Illinois]; November 8, 1864. A letter written on the evening of election day describing marching soldiers and voicing support for "Little Mac."

Soldier's letter by John B. Bryant of the 59th Indiana Infantry. Etowah Station, Georgia; November 8, 1864. At this time, the 59th Indiana was with Sherman and would proceed to Atlanta four days later, and then to Savannah. Excellent content giving the perspective of a soldier. In part: "Well Tom to day is the day that the grate Battle will be fought at the Balot Box and I hope that it will be the Death nell to this d___d War. Tom its no use for me to say any thing to you about politicks nor butternutism nor conservatism nor non of these ismes of the present day as you and I looks at this thing in the same lite and I am truly sory to think that all of the American people don't look at the picture wright. Aspecialy some of the Solders. Well I gave you're the vote of our redgement on Election. A few days ago the vote stod for Lincoln 330 McClellan 106 Morton 403 McDonnald 34.And evry offiser belonging to the Redgament except Col Scott went for Lincoln and Morton…"

Homefront letter signed, "Sister E." Chicago, November 9, 1864. Dated the day after the election, the writer conveys the tense climate in the city. In part: "Election is over & nobody hurt everything passed off very quietly here yesterday but there was great excitement Monday & Monday night. A real Indian scare. It was reported that the rebel prisoners at Camp Douglas were to be liberated & the city burned. A good many arrests were made Monday & yesterday but there was no disturbance. I suppose Lincoln is reelected but I am glad I didn't have to vote for him or McLennon either. I think it is six of one & half a dozen of the other."

Soldier's letter signed with initials, "D. J. F[?]." Cedar Level Station, [Virginia]; November 15, 1864. Writing in pencil, the soldier describes being on guard duty and reports the election results for his regiment: "Well you say that Buxton went for Old Abe, well so did our regiment…"

Soldier's letter signed, "Will." City Point, Virginia; November 26, 1864. With content about Thanksgiving and commenting on Lincoln's victory and General Sherman's progress in the war: "Yes John, Old Abe is again elected, and for one I am glad of it for if Gun boat McClellan had been elected it would have been a sad thing for this government. I suppose the Copperheads do not talk so loud as the did when I was in the State. What glorious news we are having from Sherman. I hope that his expedition will end as glorious as it has begun…"

There is an eighth letter written from Galesburg, Illinois on June 10, 1861 describing the funeral of Stephen A. Douglas in Chicago. In part: "Patriotism was high here as well as in your place the stars and stripes are unfurled in vast quantities last week they floated at half mast and many of them draped in black on account of the death of Stephen A. Douglas there was a great display made at Chicago at and before his burial…"

A great group of letters describing the political climate that ultimately resulted in the reelection of Abraham Lincoln.

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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.

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  • Dimensions: 9.75" x 7.6" (largest); most are approximately 5" x 8".
  • Medium: Archive

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