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?
Abraham Lincoln - Primary Source Documents
Abraham Lincoln remained supportive of Grant's military plans in Virginia, despite a deadly stalemate and despite signs of Unionist (Republican) panic. By August, he wasn't sure if the current plans in Virginia would help him win re-election...in fact, he was convinced he would lose.
Below are documents created by (or sent to) Lincoln during this tumultuous time. Click on the image
to the left of each document description to see the full document.
Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant,
Saturday, April 30, 1864
Summary:
Less than a week before the start of the Overland Campaign, Lincoln sends words of support and encouragement to the new General-in-Chief, Ulysses S. Grant. All were hoping this campaign would be the one to end the war.
Notable Quote:
"Not expecting to see you again before the spring campaign opens, I wish to express, in this way, my entire satisfaction with what you have done up to this time...You are vigilant and self-reliant."
See Grant and Documents page for Grant's Response
Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Proclamation Calling for 500,000 Volunteers
July 18, 1864
Summary:
In response to the Confederate Raid attempts against Washington, and with the hopes of applying more pressure to Richmond and Lee's Army, Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for more volunteers who would serve one to three years in the Union Army. Districts had until September 5th to fulfill their volunteer quotas or mandatory conscription would be implemented.
Notable Quote:
"..The aforementioned act of Congress may now be put in operation for recruiting and keeping up the strength of the armies in the field for garrisons, and such military operations as may be required for the purpose of suppressing the rebellion, and restoring the authority of the United States Government in the insurgent States..."
See Grant and Documents page for Grant's request for troops
Courtesy of the Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln
University of Michigan
Volume VII, pages 448-449
Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin Butler (Draft)
Tuesday, August 9, 1864
Summary:
General Butler had been given military jurisdiction over Norfolk/ Fort Monroe and found the people of the city and the government to be unruly. Finding it difficult to work with Virginia Gov. Pierpont and frustrated the locals would not follow protocol, he set up an election on June 20, 1864 that disbanded the civil authorities. Lincoln's response (not sent until December) shows he is not in favor of this suspension of civil authority.
Notable Quote:
"Nothing justifies the suspending of the civil by the military authority, but military necessity...and whatever is not within such necessity should be left undisturbed. In your paper of February you fairly notified me of that you contemplated taking a popular vote; and, if fault there be, it was my fault that I did not object then, which I probably should have done..."
Simon Cameron to Abraham Lincoln
Wednesday, March 9, 1864
Summary:
Cameron is discussing with Lincoln the appointments and positions of various military leaders, in preparation for the upcoming Virginia military campaigns. Cameron urges their are political reasons for considering these positions - the votes of Americans of German and Dutch ancestry may be swayed with the appoint/promotion of German and Dutch leaders.
Notable Quote:
The German element of the republican party, are a proud and sensitive men who think they have been overlooked -- and that the Irish whom they consider rivals, have been more than well treated.
Edgar Conkling to Abraham Lincoln
Saturday, October 8, 1864
Summary:
During the presidential campaign, some noted suspicions that George McClellan (Democratic Party candidate and Army General) was traitorous - in that he was possibiy conspiring with Rebel leaders. Those who beleived these claims pointed to his military record of non-pursuit. Conkling offers Lincoln evidence to encourage an investigation of McClellan, but there is no record if Lincoln followed through with this idea.
Notable Quote:
"Please allow me to call your serious attention to my previous letters & documents sent you relative to Genl McClellan the Arch Traitor. If I am sustained by the Govt, I will sustain my charge that Mac is not only a theoretical traitor but a practical one a thousand fold greater than Arnold..."
Josiah B Grinnell to Abraham Lincoln
Wednesday, May 25, 1864
Summary:
Iowa Congressman Josiah B. Grinnell informs Lincoln of a resolution he proposed. It called for an investigation into two American newspapers (the New York World and Journal of Commerce) that had published a false presidential proclamation declaring May 26 a fast day, announced the conclusion of Grant's campaign in Virginia and called for an additional 400,000 volunteers. Lincoln was so angered by this that he suppressed both newspapers and ordered the arrest of the editors.
Notable Quote:
"Mr. President
You may have noticed that I offered a resolution of inquiry in reference to the, suppression of the Globe and Journal of Commerce. I did it to head off the offensive resolution of Cox which I knew he had preferred to offer. This is in explanation of my motives--"
Abraham Lincoln to Philip Sheridan
Saturday, October 22, 1864
Summary:
Lincoln writes to Philip Sheridan following the successes of his Valley Campaign. Lincoln praises Sheridan's famous ride from Winchester into the Shenandoah Valley, to defeat the Confederates under General Jubal Early at Cedar Creek.
Notable Quote:
"With great pleasure I tender to you, and your brave army, the thanks of the nation, and my own personal admiration and gratitude for the month's operations, in the Shenandoah Valley."
Abraham Lincoln to Henry J. Raymond (Draft)
Wednesday, August 24, 1864
Summary:
On August 22, Raymond wrote Lincoln to inform many supporters did not feel he would be re-elected. The gloomy outlook was a result of a failing military campaign and stress within the North over the issue of abolition. In this August 24th response, Lincoln asks Raymond to get in contact with Jefferson Davis, with the hopes of negotiating a peace with the South. However, he and his Cabinet such a move would hinder more than help.
Notable Quote:
"You will proceed forthwith and obtain, if possible, a conference for peace with Hon. Jefferson Davis, or any person by him authorized for that purpose--...at said conference you will propose, on behalf of this government, that upon the restoration of the Union and the national authority, the war shall cease at once..."
Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant
Thursday, August 17, 1864
Summary:
Fears of uprisings in northern states, in response to the call for volunteers, had some in the administration wondering if soldiers in Virginia could travel north to keep rebellion at bay. Grant felt this was a bad idea that would hurt the cause, both in the siege of Petersburg and Sherman's campaign against Atlanta. In this telegram, Lincoln agrees with Grant and keeps all forces in thier current locations.
Notable Quote:
"I have seen your despatch expressing your unwillingness to break your hold where you are. Neither am I willing. Hold on with a bull-dog grip, and chew & choke, as much as possible."
Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant
June 15, 1864
Summary:
Lincoln responds to Grant's plans following the Battle of Cold Harbor, which for all intents and purposes was a mjor Union loss in the Overland Campaign. The new plan consisted of crossing the James River and attacking south of Richmond at Petersburg, the main supplyline for the Confederate capital.
Notable Quote:
"Have just read your despatch of 1 P.M. yesterday. I begin to see it. You will succeed. God bless you all., A. Lincoln"
Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Abraham Lincoln to Union Delegation
June 9, 1864
Summary:
Delegates from the National Union Nominating Convention held in Baltimore traveled to Washington, D.C. to both inform and congratulate the President on his re-nomination. He thanked those in attendance and referenced his experience as key to the election
Notable Quote:
“I have not permitted myself, gentlemen, to conclude that I am the best man in the country; but I am reminded, in this connection, of a story of an old Dutch farmer, who remarked to a companion once that ‘it was not best to swap horses when crossing streams.’”
Courtesy of the House Divided
Civil War Research Engine,
Dickinson College
Courtesy of the
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
To see Grant's dispatch go to the
Courtesy of Mississippi State University
Volume 11, page 45 (v11_073_page45)
Francis P. Blair to Abraham Lincoln
July 1864
Summary:
Union Party supporter Francis Blair urges President Lincoln to give McClellan a command post in the army. Blair was convinced McClellan would be a formidable adversary in the 1864 election and wanted to protect the president's baseline of support. Blair even went privatley to McClellan to encourage him to write the president for a post - he refused to do so,
Notable Quote:
"I had the enclosed to give you showing the change of public sentiment about Mac's going into the field to try his fortunes, as a Genl. again The Post, Commercial Advertiser, Herald &c are for a renewal of his attempt on the Potomac--"
Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Courtesy of the Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln
University of Michigan
Volume VII, pages 499
Abraham Lincoln to the 166th Ohio Regiment
Monday, August 22, 1864
Summary:
Lincoln met with the 166th Ohio Regiment, stationed near Washington D.C. to thank them for thier service; there enlistments were almost over and they were headed home. The theme of his speech is perseverence and dedication to the cause of victory. There are also undertones of polticking, seeing these are potential voting supporters for the upcoming election.
Notable Quote:
"I happen temporarily to occupy this big White House. I am a living witness that any one of your children may look to come here as my father's child has. It is in order that each of you may have through this free government which we have enjoyed, an open field and a fair chance for your industry, enterprise and intelligence..."
Abraham Lincoln Blind Memorandum
Tuesday, August 23, 1864
Summary:
Over the course of the summer of 1864, Lincoln and his supporters were becoming grim about the possiblity of re-election. In response to this fear, Lincoln wrote this memo, blindly endorsed by his Cabinet, in which he committed himself to preserving the nation despite a political loss.
Notable Quote:
"...It seems exceedingly probable that this Administration will not be re-elected. Then it will be my duty to so co-operate with the President elect, as to save the Union between the election and the inauguration..."
Albert Hodges to Abraham Lincoln
Thursday, September 15, 1864
Summary:
Albert Hodges discusses with the President the recent Democratic Convention, held in Chicago. He mentions how during his recent travels many have shown support for Lincoln's re-election, particularly in response to the capture of Atlanta.
Notable Quote:
"...after the platform and nominations by that band, of whom a large majority in my humble judgment were traitors at heart, at Chicago, the skies began to brighten. The...fall of Atlanta helped to raise the drooping spirits of the Union party, and all along my route home the shout went up for your re-election & the overthrow of the Rebellion."
Abraham Lincoln Response to a Serenade
November 10, 1864
Summary:
Following his victory in the November 8th Presidential Election, Lincoln thanked the supporters gathered on November 10th. In this speech he reaffirms his dedication to the concept of democracy, as well as supports the need to have this election in the midst of a war.
Notable Quote:
"We can not have free government without elections; and if the rebellion could force us to forego, or postpone a national election, it might fairly claim to have already conquered and ruined us."
Courtesy of the House Divided
Civil War Research Engine,
Dickinson College
Courtesy of the House Divided
Civil War Research Engine,
Dickinson College
Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Courtesy of the House Divided
Civil War Research Engine,
Dickinson College
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