Description:

Abraham Lincoln
Charles Town, WV; Port Kent, NY; Strafford, NH, ca. August 1864-April 1865
Letters Discuss Abraham Lincoln & the War Over Slavery
Archive

[ABRAHAM LINCOLN.] Archive of letters, 1864-1865. 3 letters, 8 pp.

This small archive of letters reflects on the reelection and assassination of Abraham Lincoln. In the first letter, a New York soldier expresses doubt about voting for the reelection of Lincoln. In the second letter, a Democratic historian writes to a soldier whom he had taught in Sunday School about the upcoming election. The third letter, by a young New Hampshire photographer writing to his soldier brother, discusses Lincoln's assassination and expresses hope that President Andrew Johnson will uphold Lincoln's "abolition principles."

Contents and Excerpts
- Warren A. Ives, Autograph Letter Signed, to his parents, August 19, 1864, In Camp near Charlestown, [West] Virginia. 3 pp., 5" x 8". Expected folds; one small hole, not affecting text; very good.
"This war is uphill business and the sooner it is settled the better for all parties. The Soldiers here dont know if it is best to vote this fall to uphold the administration or not. If I was in Chauncey's place and was drafted I would give everything I had in the world in the shape of property before I would come and then I would not come anyway property or no property. I only speak the sentiments of every Soldier here."
Warren A. Ives (1830-1909) was born in Rensselaer County, New York. He served as a private in the 151st New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

- Winslow C. Watson, Autograph Letter Signed, to George D. Anson, October 2, 1864, Port Kent, [New York]. 3 pp., 7" x 8.5". Expected folds; small edge tears; general toning; very good.
"For the first time there appears to be a competent commander of our forces in the Valley. It must have been fine sport, that chace of the rebels upon the river. I think your victories will have a most important influence on Grants movements & I trust the season for active operations will not end before he is resting in Richmond."
"We too at home are engaged in a tremendous contest. I have seen nothing like it, since the days of Old Hickory. Such a determination to put down tyranny, usurpation & corruption must I think succeed. The wretched management of the war, the imbecility of the administration & the monstrous fraud & venality of subordinates & shoddy contractors had aroused strong indignation, but when Lincoln avowed that we could have no peace until slavery is abolished that feeling was doubly exasperated. The people are determined that they will not further spend their fortunes & pour out the blood of their sons in a mere abolition war. I believe Lincoln will receive the severest rebuke ever administered in this country. There is no other fear except from the unscrupulous use of money & patronage & the coercion of the soldiers vote. I trust that the army will act fearlessly. Dont fail to send home your proxy if you will not be here, & I hope Reuben will see & feel the necessities of a change, but I did not think of writing you so long on the subject of politics, but it absorbs everything."
"I hope to hear from you about army affairs, & dont fail to let me know, how you think the Army feels toward ‘little Mac.'"
Winslow Cossoul Watson (1803-1881) was born in Albany County, New York, as the youngest son of Elkanah Watson (1758-1842), a pioneering farmer and banker who served as a courier during the Revolutionary War. The younger Watson attended Middlebury College and studied law under Chief Justice Ambrose Spencer. He was admitted to the bar in 1824 and practiced at Plattsburgh, New York, until poor health forced him to retire in 1833. He was a member of Vermont's first state senate and served as treasurer of Clinton County, New York. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1832, 1835, and 1856. He became a historian and wrote several books, including histories of Essex County and the Champlain Valley. He lived in his father's house in Port Kent, New York, overlooking Lake Champlain.
George D. Anson (1839-1902) was born in New York. He enlisted in September 1861 and was mustered in two months later as a private in the 1st Vermont Cavalry. He was captured on April 1, 1863, but paroled a week later. He mustered out on November 18, 1864, after three years of service, and returned to Essex County, New York. In 1871, he married Caroline M. Stowers (1847-1877), and they had two children. He later married Etta J. Calkins (1860-1931). He was a merchant in 1880.
Despite Watson's efforts, Abraham Lincoln won 60 percent of the vote in Essex County in November 1864.

- E. Frank Foss, Autograph Letter Signed, to his brother Lemuel Foss, April 16, 1865, Strafford, [New Hampshire], with postscript by their father Woodbury M. Foss (1804-1869). 2 pp., 8" x 10". Expected folds; tear at top with small loss affecting one word on second page; scattered staining.
"Though Pres. Lincoln is no more we hope the South will find in Vice Pres. Johnson a man no less in strength. Though Johnson got drunk on the day of inauguration he has since taken the temperance pledge and we hope may ‘stick to it' and also cary out the principles of Pres. Lincoln in all other points as well as in a temperance cause. If he don't carry out Lincoln's abolition principles I hope someone will shoot him but though he is a Southern man I guess he has got abolition blind enough to ‘go all right.'"
Edwin Frank Foss (1846-1884) was a photographer and later apparently became a physician. In 1868, he was the treasurer of the Grant Club in Strafford, New Hampshire. In 1875, he married Abbie Pillsbury Merrill, and they had three children.
Lemuel Foss (1842-1871) was drafted as a private into the 13th New Hampshire Infantry in August 1862. He served in Virginia, and diphtheria and other health problems placed him in hospitals in Portsmouth, Virginia, and Concord, New Hampshire, during his service. He was discharged on June 28, 1865.

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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