War and Politics:
Lincoln, Virginia and the Election of 1864
How did the bloody military stalemate in Virginia affect the presidential election of 1864?
Also, how did candidates and generals respond to events during that long summer?
Macon Daily Telegraph
May 9, 1864 - Column Two, Page Two
Theme: Grant's Army
The article makes reference to Grant's new leadership and the increasing strength of the Army of the Potomac, currently situated in Virginia for the Overland Campaign.
Notable Quote: "The sweeping changes made by Grant in the interior constitution of the Army of the Potomac - however much they have shocked some sensibilities - have all been to the improvement of the army; and no one who knows the spirit and quality of that army can fail to appreciate the delight and confidence Grant has in it."
Confederate Newspaper References
to the Virginia Campaign and the 1864 Presidential Election
Macon Daily Telegraph - Courtesy of the Virginia Center for Civil War Studies at Virginia Tech.
Click on the image link to be connected with each document (NOTE: You will need to scroll to the bottom of the new page to retrieve each document)
Macon Daily Telegraph
April 20, 1864 - Column Two, Page One
Theme: Presidential Election
The article makes references to the Republican and Democratic Conventions, as well as the significance of the Virginia Campaign to the outcome of the 1864 Election. The success of potential candidates is also discussed.
Notable Quote: "It is now clearly seen by the leaders on both sides that the Presidency hinges upon the result of the campaign against Richmond. Should that fail...Mr. Lincoln, or any of the present administration, would immediately become impossible candidates."
Macon Daily Telegraph
August 3, 1864 - Column Four, Page Two
Theme: Grant's Failures in Virginia
The article serves as a commentary, noting the failures of Grant within the Overland Campaign (also a continuation of the previously listed article on Lee/Maryland Raid).
Notable Quote: "The campign of Virginia has undergone a rapid change of character...[Grant] stood after Cold Harbor as Hooker did after Chancellorsville"
Macon Daily Telegraph
August 3, 1864 - Column Three, Page Two
Theme: Lee's Inaction in the Overland Campaign
The article focuses on Lee's movement southward, stating it was a ploy to lure Grant away from the northern border, so an invasion of Washington, D.C. could be carried out by Jubal Early (continued within the next listed article).
Notable Quote: "It is now clear to all that this movement could have been easily prevented, and the humiliation consequent upon it avoided, had the men who hold the reins of power been endowed with the least amount of sagacity and foresight."
Macon Daily Telegraph
May 26, 1864 - Column Three, Page One
Theme: Butler's Peninsula Failures
The article discusses General Butler's failures on the peninsula and to capture the capital of Richmond, while General Beauregard seems to have "disappeared."
Notable Quote: "As regards any attack that Butler may make on Fort Darling, or the other forts south of Richmond, it will be labor in vain, for he can make no impression whatever upon them."
Macon Daily Telegraph
May 26, 1864 - Column Two, Page One
Theme: Grant's Army
Enclosed is the telegraphed correspondence of a reporter with the Army of the Potomac in Virginia. The letter speaks highly of Grant and his abilities.
Notable Quote: "I am conseintious in the statement that I do not believe any man's reputation would be safe were he to count up and publish the disparity in the number of Federal and Confderate troops killed...any Gen'l but the hero of Vicksburg would hve become appalled and discouraged at the gloomy pageant."
Macon Daily Telegraph
May 5, 1864 - Column One, Page Two
Theme: Stirring News from Lincolndom
The article discusses the receipt of a telegram in which Grant demands the return of McClellan, possibly upsetting the adminstration because all connections to McClellan had previously been removed. (article continued in the next link)
Notable Quote: "All have opened thier batteries of ridicule and denunciation of the 'Little Napoleon'...Upon the back of all this comes Grant...and demands McClellan's services as the condition of his consent to advance the enemy! - What does it mean?"
Macon Daily Telegraph
May 5, 1864 - Column Two, Page Two
Theme: Stirring News from Lincolndom (continued from the link above)
The article discusses the receipt of a telegram in which Grant demands the return of McClellan (The is a continuation of the article link above). There is discussion of political division and race tensions within the Union Army.
Notable Quote: "In a word, the 'plague of parties' has broken out violently in the 'Grand Army of the Potomac.'"
Macon Daily Telegraph
May 30, 1864 - Column Four, Page Two
Theme: News from Lee's Camp/ Death of J.E.B. Stuart
Letters from inside Lee's camp speak of the general's satisfaction with his force's performance in the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. A second article recounts the circumstances leading to the death of Stuart in the Battle of Yellow Tavern.
Notable Quote: "General Lee...was satisfied that General Grant's army was now reduced to the size of his own army...it is very evident that the Yankees are now under hack."
Macon Daily Telegraph
July 1, 1864 - Column One, Page Two
Theme: Democratic Convention Postponement / Grant Subsiding
Two different articles of note: One mentions to movment of the Democratic National Convention from July 4th to late August. Another discusses the movements of Grant throughout Virginia leading up to seige ofPetersburg/ Richmond.
Notable Quote: "The war is to be finished by seige and starvation; and there was an obvious propriety of proclaiming the 'seige of Richmond has begun."
Macon Daily Telegraph
May 7, 1864 - Column Four, Page One
Theme: Opinion of the Radicals on Presidential Nominees
The article, a reprint of a radical newspaper labeled the Evening Post, refers to Lincoln as a joke and gives many examples to support this label.
Notable Quote: "Every age and country has its great joker...President Lincoln is a joke incarnated. His election was a very sorty joke...His inaugural address was a joke since it was full of promises which he never has performed."
Macon Daily Telegraph
September 21, 1864 - Column Three, Page One
Theme: Lincoln's Comments on the Democratic Party
This interview shows Lincoln condemning McClellan, particularly his professed use of force (which Lincoln feels will not out-strategize the Confederate Army) and his support of restoring slavery to the south.
Notable Quote: "There is no programme offered by any wing of the Democratic Party but that must result in the permanent destruction of the Union."
Macon Daily Telegraph
June 14, 1864 - Column One, Page Two
Theme: National Union Party Presidential Ticket
There is a discussion on the replacement of Hannibal Hamlin with "Andy Johnson," as well as tensions in Baltimore amongst the Fremont faction.
Notable Quote: "Two Tickets are now in the field and at least a third will be forthcoming in the course of the next three weeks."
Macon Daily Telegraph
November 14, 1864 - Column Seven, Page Two
Theme: Lincoln Re-Election
This is an account of election results as reported by a series of northern newspapers. While Lincoln is mentioned as the winner, delegate totals/ electoral votes for McClellan is the focus of the article.
Notable Quote: "The New York and Baltimore newspapers of Wednesday have been recieved. The Herald editorially announces the re-election of Lincoln."
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