Description:

Union Soldier Writes His Brothers In Support of Lincoln Election, 1864

A pair of letters from William R. Tittle to his two brothers, discussing the 1864 Election between Abraham Lincoln and George B. McClellan. Both are three pages of a bifolium, measuring 5" x 8", Atlanta or Camp near Atlanta, dated November 5 and November 11, 1864 respectively. Both have retained their transmittal envelopes and have flattened mail folds. With a few spots of soiling but overall very fine. Expected wear, soiling, and toning to the covers.

The earlier letter is to his brother Ralph, and the latter is to his brother Samuel. William writes of his relief in finding there is little support for McClellan within his ranks and in his steadfast belief in Lincoln. With some additional information on recent campaigns and engagements the two survived. 

Highlights from the letters include (both with grammatical and spelling errors):
1. November 5, 1864 (William to Ralph Tittle): "…This is a harde time of year to make a campaign for we must expect bad weather and bad roads. I don’t think we will start till after the Election is over. I am glad to say that we have but few McClellan men in the 55. For my part I think men is very blinde that votes for Mc I am glad to hear how the Union men carried the day at the State Election in the different states for now is the time to do the work. Uncle Abe must be the next President or our work is all lost. This war can't end with peace will the Rebels give up. I hope it is all working for the best and I want peace as bad as anybody but I want it to end in a way to last…"

2. November 11, 1864 (William to Samuel Tittle): "…the Rebel Cavalry drove in the picket in front of the 2 brigade 2 Division. They killed 1 of the 23 Indiana and wounded 1…we marched back to the old camp that evening we got 198 recruits for the 55. They is a good many of them substitutes they are mostly good sized men. The 8 was Election day all part of quiet. Lincoln got 402 and Mc got 64 they was only 8 or 9 of the old men voted for Mc but some of these new men is the stipest kind of McClellan men but that is all they know. It is reported here that Uncle Abe has got every state as far as herd from which is good news for all good Union men…"

The 1864 Presidential election pitted Abraham Lincoln against his former commanding general, George B. McClellan. The Democratic McClellan supported the continuation of the war and the restoration of the Union, but was not in favor of abolishing slavery. Despite Lincoln's concerns about a possible defeat, he was victorious in his run for a second presidential term, beating McClellan by a wide margin of 212-21. His victory was aided in part by the recent Union victory at the Battle of Atlanta, which perhaps William Tittle had participated in.

William R. Tittle was a Sergeant at the time of writing these letters to his brothers. He had enlisted as a private at the age of 25 on December 30, 1861 and was mustered into Company "H" of the 55th Ohio Infantry. His two brothers had enlisted just four months prior on May 2, 1864. His older brother, Ralph W. Tittle (32) and his younger brother, Samuel W. Tittle (19), enlisted as a Sergeant and Private respectively in Company B of the 164th Ohio Infantry.

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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