1865 February 11: Brief Notice of the Battle of Hatcher’s Run, and Other News

Following is the weekly summary of the news from The Polk County Press of February 11, 1865.

The Battle of Hatcher’s Run¹ was fought February 5-7, 1865.  It was one of a series of Union offensives during the Siege of Petersburg, aimed at cutting off Confederate supply traffic on Boydton Plank Road and the Weldon Railroad west of Petersburg, Virginia.  The Union troops were able to extend their siegeworks, forcing the Confederates to extend their thinning lines.

The News. 

Nothing very important has transpired since our last issue.

The peace movement has proved a failure, as far as immediate results are concerned.  See the Herald’s version of the conference in another column.

— Sherman is moving into South Carolina with is army.  Rebel report places him in the vicinity of Branchville.  [William T. Sherman]

— The army and navy at Fort Fisher are repairing damages, catching blockade runners, &c.  No active movements are expected in that quarter for the present.

— The Supreme Court of Michigan have decided that the soldier’s voting law of that State is unconstitutional.  The Michigan Legislature will make the required amendments so as to conform with the constitution of the State.

Still Later News.

D. W. ARMSTRONG, Esq., who came up from Hudson on Thursday, sends us the St. Paul Press of the 9th inst., which contains news of considerable importance.

SHERMAN is moving into and through South Carolina, in two columns, with Branchville as his objective point.

On the 6th inst., GRANT’S army commenced a movement.  The 5th and part of the 2d Corps were thrown across the Weldon road to Hatcher’s Run, where quite a spirited engagement ensued.  Our losses are stated to be 70 men ;  while the rebels lost a large wagon train loaded with Commissary stores ;  300 in killed and wounded and 600 prisoners ;  besides our forces burnt several grist mills at Fisher’s Run.  Whether the movement is designed as a mere raid or a permanent extension of GRANT’S lines is not known.  [Ulysses S. Grant]

— On the 8th both Houses of Congress joined in Convention, when the electoral votes were canvassed, in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution.  The Vice President announced the result as follows :

Abraham Lincoln, 233 ;  Andrew Johnson, 212 ;  [George B.] McClellan 21 ;  [George H.] Pendleton 21 ;  Abraham Lincoln having received a majority of 117 votes, was duly declared elected President of the U. S. for four years commencing on the 4th of March ;  and Andrew Johnson was declared elected Vice President.

1.  Also known as Dabney’s Mill, Armstrong’s Mill, Rowanty Creek, and Vaughn Road.

1864 December 10: How Wisconsin’s Soldiers Voted

We are posting older items that we did not have room for earlier because our local newspapers did not put out an issue on December 31, 1864!  The following list of votes from the soldiers comes from the December 10, 1864, issue of The Prescott Journal.  James D. Lewis and Henry L. Palmer ran for Wisconsin governor; Abraham Lincoln and George B. MClellan ran for U.S. president.

Wisconsin Military Vote—1863 and 1864

The following is the army vote of Wisconsin as returned last year, and this year as far as returned complete.  The vote of last year includes the votes rejected at the state canvass :

….…		Lewis	Palmer	Lincoln	McClellan
	1st Infantry	70	0	(mustered	out)
	2	132	6	70	1
	3	280	2	306	21
	5	418	1	418	73
	6	197	6	127	36
	7	222	1	137	30
	8	334	14	227	21
	9	244	55	396	102
	10	34	0	(mustered	out)
	11	255	3	317	82
	12	210	12	420	70
	13	411	17	418	45
	14	209	0	193	62
	15	41	0	184	1
	16	194	1	338	129
	17	63	189	106	252
	18	13	0	103	33
	19	145	42	30	53
	20	99	1	386	48
	21	155	2	311	86
	22	433	10	371	10
	23	115	3	298	20
	24	151	14	130	55
	25	275	0	369	7
	26	—-	—-	110	88
	27	206	10	255	81
	28	320	17	407	31
	29	272	7	280	88
	30	559	20	394	30
	31	388	50	422	71
	32	375	4	493	73
	33	340	6	243	40
	35 (new reg’t)	—-	—-	153	108
	36	—-	—-	88	49
	37	—-	—-	139	21
	38	—-	—-	279	75
	42	—-	—-	330	35
	43	—-	—-	440	96
	44	—-	—-	60	28
	45	—-	—-	52	10
	1st Cavalry	213	4	43	1
	2	315	5	468	27
	3	126	105	240	88
	4	230	2	411	32
	1st Battery	53	0	46	0
	2	25	8	16	61
	3	60	0	52	0
	4	7	17	52	34
	5	64	0	65	0
	6	69	5	75	0
	7	104	0	114	3
	8	41	0	70	27
	9	56	0	—-	—-
	10	(not	returned)	60	22
	11	—-	—-	—-	—-
	12	50	15	—-	—-
	18	(now)	—-	47	33
	1st heavy ar’t	161	41	943	236
	Sharpshooters	27	0	—-	—-
	Hussars	33	0	10	0
	Prominent Guard, Camp Randall	—-	—-	93	14
		_____	_____	_____	_____
		9,175	693	12,627	2,738

1864 December 3: Enrollment to be Revised; More Election Results; Wisconsin Troops with Sherman; Marmaduke Captured

Following are the smaller items from the December 3, 1864, issues of The Polk County Press and The Prescott Journal.

From The Polk County Press:

SANITARY FAIR.—St. Paul has taken the initiatory towards a great Sanitary Fair to be held soon.

TAYLOR’S FALLS ITEMS.—The “Reporter” contains the following :

— Erastus Guard, Principal Musician of the Seventh [Minn.] Regiment, has received his discharge from the service, and made his appearance in Taylor’s Falls again.  His health has been very much impaired.

ENROLLMENT TO BE REVISED.—New orders have just been issued from the Provost Marshal General’s office relating to the revision and correction of the enrollment lists, with the view to have them ready for the future emergencies.  Gen. Fry [James B. Fry] says that the names of all persons liable to military duty taking up their residence in sub-districts, as well as those who from time to time become liable, shall be added to the enrollment lists ;  and all persons who enlist or remove permanently from any district or whose liability terminates while in it, will be stricken off ;  and in case of removal, whenever practicable, the Board of Enrollment of the district to which the person removes will be notified, and he will be enrolled by that board.—Hudson Star and Times.

POSTPONED.—At the request of Gov. Miller [Stephen Miller], of Minnesota, the President has postponed indefinitely, the execution of the five men sentenced to be shot for desertion.  A great deal of sympathy is naturally felt for the condemned men, and we should not be surprised to see them punished by imprisionment [sic], instead of being shot.—Hudson Star and Times.

THE VOTE OF WISCONSIN.—The Madison “Journal” estimates the total home vote of the State at the recent Presidential election at 130,000.  The vote of the State in 1860 was 152,000.  Since 1860 Wisconsin has put into the field over 60,000 men, 50,000 of whom were without the borders of the State eclection [sic] day.—These men would, if at home, have swelled the popular vote several thousands beyond that of 1860.  Another element of depletion in our voting population has been the registry law, and the hegira for Canada and parts unknown.  The same rules of voting as 1860, and the soldiers, and the runaways, at home, would have given us nearly 200,000 votes.

The Result of Missouri

The Radical triump [sic] in Missouri is overwhelming.  Lincoln’s majority will exceed 20,000 [Abraham Lincoln].  Think of that for a State claimed as certin [sic] for M’Clellan [George B. McClellan].  The proposition for a new State Convention is accepted by an overwhelming majority :  three-fourths of the members elect of the Convention are Radical ;  eight ourt [sic: out] of the nine Congressmen are Radical ;  the two U. S. Senators are Radical ;  eighty out of the one hundred and fourteen counties elect Radical tickets.  Radicalism thus controls the State and will thus make a clean sweep of slavery, this time.  Bill Anderson¹ and Daddy Price [Sterling Price] are, it is said, entitled to the credit of this overwhelming Union victory.  They sickened Missouri of secession, and in vomiting them from her bosom she spewed out slavery with them.

— The Central and Northwestern States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri and Kansas, have given an aggregate Union majority of about 250,000.  This is rather discouraging to the scheme for a Northwestern Confederacy.

— President Lincoln said in one of his speeches that there were more men in the country now than when the war broke out.  This seems to be proved by the election returns.—The three States of Main, New Hampshire and Massachusetts polled 358,000 votes at the late election against 333,000 in 1860, an increase of 25,000.

From The Prescott Journal:

WISCONSIN TROOPS WITH SHERMAN.—The following troops are with SHERMAN’S expedition [William T. Sherman] :  the 3d infantry, Col. HAWLEY ;  12th, Col. PROUDFIT ;  15th (Scandinavian) ;  16th, Maj. DAWES ;  17th, commanded by Maj. McCAULEY ;  21st, lieut. Col. FITCH ;  22d, Col. BLOODGOOD ;  25th, Lieut. Col. RUSK ;  26th, Col. WINKLER ;  the 31st, and the 32d, Col. DeGROAT.  Col. HOBART [Harrison C. Hobart], of the 21st, accompanies the expedition as commander of a brigade in the first division of the 14th corps.

DESERTERS.—The Chicago papers say a large number of draft skedaddlers from Wisconsin are reported in that city.  It seems that a revival of the passport system in some shape is necessary to prevent those who are lawfully drafted for service from escaping and throwing the burthen [archaic, burden] upon those who are honorable enough to remain where they can be found.

WELL DONE.—In forwarding the returns of Co. H, 37th Regiment, Capt. HOBBS² writes :  “It is composed of conscripts who have been in active service six months, engaged in action nine times, have braved death like men, and have now crowned themselves with glory by discarding party and voting unanimously as they have fought, for God and their country.  God bless them is my prayer.

  The Provost Marshal General has issued orders for revising the enrollment lists by putting in the names of those persons who have become liable to military duty since the enrollment, and taking off the names of those whose liability to duty, by reason of over age or enlistment in the service, has terminated, &c., &c.  Removal from one sub-district to another is required to be noted.

VOTES AND MAJORITIES.—Official returns of the vote in New York State show a majority for Lincoln of 6,566, and for Fenton for Governor of 8,197.  The number of votes cast was a little over 730,000—about 50,000 more than in 1860.  The complete majority of Lincoln in New Hampshire, on the home vote is 2,084.  The soldiers’ vote will increase this to about 3,200.  McClellan’s majority in New Jersey is 7,402, a loss of over 7,000 since 1862, when the Democratic majority was 14,597.  McClellan’s official majority in Delaware is 610.  Returns from every county in Illinois, except one, about ninety of which are official, given Lincoln’s majority at 31,595.  Lincoln’s official majority in Maryland is 7,450.

THE COST OF GUERRILLAS.—The rebel committee estimates the value of the property in the Shenandoah Valley destroyed by SHERIDAN [Philip H. Sheridan], to drive our guerrillas and render the region untenable by the rebels at $25,000,000, and they make the following enumeration :

Thirty dwelling-houses, four hundred and fifty barns, thirty-one mills, three factories, and one furnace burned ;  a hundred miles of fencing, a hundred thousand bushels of corn, six thousand tons tons [sic] of hay destroyed ;  one thousand seven hundred cattle, the same number of horses, and four thousand hogs carried off.

KENTUCKY SOLDIERS FOR LINCOLN.—A majority of the Kentucky soldiers voted the Union ticket.  Among others, WOLFORD’S Kentucky Cavalry gave a majority for LINCOLN.  This is among the most significant features of the election in Kentucky.  Col. WOLFORD [Frank L. Wolford] was arrested for treasonable conduct about a year ago, and Gov. BRAMLETTE [Thomas E. Bramlette] threatened to get up fight with the President over the arrest, but finally though better of it.  The Copperheads made a great blow about the matter.  His soldiers, it seems, knew the man, and approve his treatment by the Government.

finger  Negotiations are said to be in progress for the exchange of western prisoners of war, to be delivered on the Mississippi.

MARMADUKE CAPTURED BY A BOY.—It is stated that the rebel General Marmaduke [John S. Marmaduke] was captured by a little boy belonging to one of the Kansas regiments.  He at first refused to surrender to an “inferior officer,” but was immediately persuaded to do so.  The lad brought him to Gen. Curtis [Samuel R. Curtis] headquarters, where he introduced himself, much to the surprise of all, but especially of the boy hero.  General Curtis asked the boy how long he had to serve before his term of enlistment would expire.  The reply was “eight months.”  The General immediately wrote a furlough for that time, and presented him with the horse, revolvers, belt and sabre of the rebel General.

The Chattanooga Gazette learns that Maj. Gen. Meagher [Thomas Francis Meagher] has been order[ed] to report to Maj. Gen. Steadman for duty with instructions that he be assigned to command all the troops belonging to the 25th and 17th corps now in that district.

1.  William T. “Bloody Bill” Anderson (1840-1864) became skilled at guerrilla warfare fighting with Quantrill’s Raiders. He took a leading role in the Lawrence Massacre, and later participated in the Battle of Baxter Springs. He became a leader of a group of raiders of his own and became the most feared guerrilla in the Missouri, killing and robbing dozens of Union soldiers and civilian sympathizers.  On September 27, 1864, in what became known as the Centralia Massacre—possibly the war’s deadliest and most brutal guerrilla action—Anderson’s men killed 24 Union soldiers and later that day killed more than 100 Union militiamen. He was killed in battle on October 26, 1864.
2.  Company F of the 37th Wisconsin Infantry had many men from Pierce and Saint Croix counties, but Company H had none. Capt. Hobbs was Frank T. Hobbs, from Milwaukee.

1864 November 26: Election Returns from the 10th Battery and the 44th Infantry, Sheridan Promoted, McClellan Resigns

The following small articles are from The Polk County Press of November 26, 1864.  The Prescott Journal published only two pages on the 26th, the front page being all advertisements and the second page being all county government business.

– POPULAR VOTED.–Lincoln’s majority on the popular vote is over 400,000.  This is the largest popular majority ever given any President of the United States.  [Abraham Lincoln]

From the Tenth Wis. Battery.

MARIETIA, Ga., Nov. 10, 1864.

SAM. S. FIFIELD, JR.—Dear Sir :—I comply with your request and hasten to forward to you the result of our election. The number of votes cast by Polk County boys was nine.  Of this number Lincoln received 9 ;  McIndoe 9 ;  Stuntz 9 ;  and Nason and Fisk 9.  Mack nary a vote [George B. McClellan].  You will perceive that we vote in the same direction we shoot.

You may look for stiring [sic] news from this army within the next two months.  We are stripping ourselves for the fight again, and if this rebellion does not receive blows that will make the cursed traitors cry enough, then I am fearfully mistaken—that’s all.  Boys all well.  Yours truly,

O. A. CLARK,
Tenth Wisconsin Battery.

– FRONTIER PROTECTION.–General SIBLEY has stationed a company of cavalry at Chengwatona, Pine Co., Minn.  [Henry Hastings Sibley]

– Pierce County gives Lincoln 300 majority.  Every town gives Union majority, which is a heavy gain.

– From the 44th Regiment.–Our friend Seth Ayers writes us under the 12th inst., from Nashville, Tenn.  All the boys were well.  The election among the soldiers was all one way, Lincoln receiving four-fifths of the votes.  The Polk Co. boys in the regiment voted as follows:

Lincoln 6, [Walter D.] McIndoe 6, Stuntz 3, & Nason 3.  Democratic nary one.

– Ten thousand prisoners are now being exchanged at Savannah, Ga.

 – An engineer officer says that Sheridan [Philip H. Sheridan] has captured in the Valley one mile and 82 yards of artillery, an average of two pieces a day since he took command.  [Shenandoah Valley]

Congratulatory Dispatch from Gen. GRANT

The Washington Star publishes the following dispatch from Gen. Grant [Ulysses S. Grant] :

To Hon. E. M. Stranton :

CITY POINT, Nov. 10, 1864, 10:80 P.M.–Enough now seems to be known to say who is to hold the reins of Government for the next years.  Congratulate the President for me for the double victory.  The election having passed off quietly—no bloodshed or riot throughout the land—is a victory worth more to the country than a battle won.  Rebelldom [sic] and Europe will construe it.

U. S. GRANT, Lt. Gen.

 

Little Mac Resigns—Sheridan Promoted.

NEW YORK, Nov. 16.

GENERAL ORDERS 282.

WAR DEPARTMENT,  }
Washington, Nov. 14, 64 }

Ordered by the President :

1st.  That the resignation of Geo. B. McClellan, as Major General in the United States army, dated Nov. 8th, and received by the Adjutant Gen. is the 10th inst., be accepted as of the 8th of November.

2nd.  That for personal gallantry, military skill, and trust in the courage and patriotism of his troops, displayed by Philip H. Sheridan in the battle of Cedar Run, whereby, under the blessing of Providence, his routed army was re-organized, a great national disaster avoided, and a brilliant victory achieved over the rebels for the third days, Philip H. Sheridan is appointed Major General in the U.S. Army to rank as such from the 8th of November, 1864.

By order of the President of the United States.
.                                  .E. D. Townsend, A. A. G.

1864 November 26: Lincoln — “I give thanks to the Almighty for this evidence of the people’s resolution to stand by free government and the rights of humanity”

The following two small articles were published in The Polk County Press of November 26, 1864.

A Speech of Mr. Lincoln on the Result of the Election.

At a late hour of Tuesday, the 8th inst., President Lincoln [Abraham Lincoln] was serenaded by a club of Pennsylvanians, headed by Capt. Thomas of that State.  Being loudly called for, the President appeared at a window, and spoke as follows :

FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS :  Even before I had been informed by you that this compliment was paid me by loyal citizens of Pennsylvania friendly to me, I had inferred that you were of that portion of my countrymen who think that the best interests of the nation are to be subserved by the support of the present administration.

I do not pretend to say that you who think so embrace all the patriotizm and loyalty of the country ;  but I do believe, and I trust without personal interest, that the welfare of the country does require that such support and endorsement be given.  I earnestly believe that the consequence of this day’s work, if it be as you assume, and as now seems probable, will be to the lasting advantage, if not to the very salvation of the country.

I cannot at this hour say what has been the result of the election ;  but, whatever it may be, I have no desire to modify this opinion ;  that all who have labored to day in behalf of the Union organization have wrought for the best interests of their country and the world, not only for the present, but for all future ages.

I am thankful to God for this approval of the people ;  but, while deeply grateful for this mark of their confidence in me, if I know my heart, my gratitude is free from any taint of personal triumph.  I do not impugn the motives of any one opposed to me.

It is no pleasure to me to triumph over any one ;  but I give thanks to the Almighty for this evidence of the people’s resolution to stand by free government and the rights of humanity.

The State of Nevada.

The thirty-sixth star has been added to the galaxy on the banner of the United States.  Nevada has been admitted into the Union.  The State embraces the territory within the following boundaries :  the 38th degree longitude west from Washington and the western boundary of California, and west of Utah.  Its area is about eighty-three thousand square miles, and its estimated white population forty thousand.  Gold, silver, mercury, lead, antimony, bituminous coal, salt, cinnabar, alum, mahogany, and other valuable products will render it attractive for future settlement.  The mining region of the new State, as described by Mr. Blake, who was a Commissioner to the London International Exhibition, 1862, in his report to the Governor of Nevada, is an elevated and and [sic] semi-desert region—its surface  a constant succession of longitudinal mountain ranges, with intervening valleys and plains, most of which are independent basins, hemmed in by mountains on all sides, and the whole system without drainage to the sea.  The general elevation of these valleys is over 4,500 ft. above the sea, and the mountains rise from 1,000 to 4,000 feet, and in some instances to 8,000 feet high.  It includes a portion of the Great Interior Basin, and a great portion of it is still unexplored.

1864 November 19: More on the 1864 Election, Including Returns from the Prescott Guards

More on the big event of the autumn—the presidential and local elections.  These items are from the November 19, 1864, issue of The Prescott Journal.

THE ELECTION.

Definite  news from all the States now show that M’CLELLAN has carried but three states, Kentucky, New Jersey and little Delaware.  [George B. McClellan]

In addition to carrying all the other States for LINCOLN [Abraham Lincoln], the Union party  has gained very largely in Congressmen, and have the Governors and Legislatures of the States.  Next to the success of Mr. LINCOLN, the defeat of SEYMOUR [Horatio Seymour], and the election of FENTON¹ in New York, is cause for congratulation among Union men. The Governor of the Empire State will now act in harmony with the National Administration.

— Readers of Capt. MARRYATT’s² Novels will remember the incident related in “Midshipman Easy” concerning his nurse. She had the misfortune to become a mother before she was a wife, but the poor girl pleaded in extenuation of her offence, that it could not be very wrong, as the babe was “such a very little one.” Copperheads can safely introduce the same plea in extenuation of their conduct. Whatever their purposes and desires may have been, the child which figuratively stands as the result of their labor, is “such a very little one,” that they will be comparatively easily forgiven.

MR. LINCOLN’S MAJORITY OVER 400,000.

The returns that we have received make it evident that Mr. Lincoln’s majority will certainly be over 400,000.

In 1852, Pierce received a majority of 58,000 of all the votes cast.  In 1856, the majority  against Buchanan [John Buchanan] of all the votes cast was 413,760. In 1860, the majority against Lincoln of all votes cast was 355,658.  In 1864, Mr. Lincoln is re-elected by a majority of over 400,000, of all the votes cast—the largest popular majority ever given to any President.

Not a single free State voted against him, but New Jersey.  The only Slave States outside the rebel lines voted against him.  All the Slave States which have recently emancipated their slaves, voted for him.  This is as it should be—Freedom everywhere is for the Union ;  Slavery everywhere is against it.

Of the 284 votes cast in the Electoral College, Mr. Lincoln will receive 213.—Never was President  so magnificently sustained by the people !—St. Paul Daily Press. 

Majorities in Pierce County. 

We give this week the official vote of Pierce County.  The following are the majorities for the Union Ticket :

..	Lincoln…………………………………..	330
..	McIndoe, Congress………………..	330
..	McMynn, State Supt. …………….	651
..	Fulton, Assembly…………………..	334
..	Walsingham, Sheriff……………..	249
..	Lewis, Register………………………	363
..	Winchester, Treasurer…………..	300
..	Young, District Attorney………..	337
..	Winn, Clerk of Board……………..	370
..	Lewis, Clark of Court……………..	303
..	Trumbull, Surveyor………………..	656
..	Amee, Coroner………………………	333

The largest majorities given for State Superintendent and Surveyor is owing to the fact that there were no candidates for these offices on the Democratic ticket.

From the Camp.

Sergt. Chas. P. Brown, Co. I, 37th, writes from camp near Petersburg, as follows :

“I have the pleasure of announcing 121 majority for Lincoln in this regiment total vote, Lincoln 141 ; McClellan 20.  Co’s. H. and I. drafted three years men, gave every vote for Lincoln.”

Sergt. G. B. Helman [sic], Co. B. 6th Reg. writes³ :

“To day is election.  We have had a glorious Union victory ;  Co. B unanimous for Lincoln and Johnson [Andrew Johnson].  The Reg. gave Lincoln 123. McClellan 37.  The 2nd Wis. was unanimous for Lincoln.  The balance of the “Iron Brigade” have given Lincoln a heavy majority, and if the people at home roll up the large majorities we do, it will turn out the greatest Union victory we have ever had.  Everything is quiet along the front to-day, even the usual picket firing has ceased, making it the quietest days we have had.  A reb. came into our lines this afternoon for the purpose (he said) of finding out how the election is going.

Co. B. are all enjoying good health and are comfortably housed in log cabins but if the weather holds fair, we expect to leave them before long.”

1.  Reuben Eaton Fenton (1819-1885) was elected the 22nd governor of New York in 1864, defeating Horatio Seymour. He served from 1865-1868. In January 1869, he was elected a U.S. Senator from New York and served from 1869 to 1875. In 1872 he was among the Republicans opposed to President Ulysses S. Grant who joined the short-lived Liberal Republican Party. Earlier in his political career he had been a Democrat and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from 1853-1855, and then elected as a Republican, serving from 1857-1865.
2.  Frederick Marryat (1792-1848) was a British Royal Navy officer, novelist, and an acquaintance of Charles Dickens, noted today as an early pioneer of the sea story. He is now known particularly for the semi-autobiographical novel Mr Midshipman Easy and his children’s novel The Children of the New Forest, and for a widely used system of maritime flag signalling, known as Marryat’s Code.
3.  Company B of the 6th Wisconsin Infantry, you may recall, was the Prescott Guards. G.B. Helman should be George R. Clements, from Prescott. In 1865 Sergeant Clements will become the captain of Company G, 50th Wisconsin Infantry.

1864 November 12: Members of the 12th Wisconsin Return Home, Another Indian Scare on the Northwest Frontier, More Local Election News

The following smaller items are from the November 12, 1864, issues of The Polk County Press and The Prescott Journal.

From The Polk County Press:

STILL ANOTHER WHITE MAN KILLED.—We learn from W. J. VINCENT, Esq., of St. Croix Falls, that another white man, a Sweed, has been killed, about eight miles north of Wood River, in Polk County.  Mr. V. gained his information from Mr. MAGNUS NELSON, of Burnett County, who brought down the election returns from Sterling.  When Mr. NELSON left, a party headed by NIMROD HICKERSON, had gone in search of the body.  We have no further particulars.  We believe that this report is true, and if it is, we sincerely hope that the people will not wait for our laggard State authorities, but take the matter in their own hands, and punish these devils with a vengeance that will be a warning to all their tribe to the last day of their lives.

PAINFUL RUMORS.—We learn from a reliable gentlemen at St. Croix Falls, that rumors come from among the Indians at that place, to the effect that two more men have been killed on the Superior Road.  We trust they are unfounded.

DIED IN PRISON.—We neglected to chronicle the death of two of our brave Soldier boys, who enlisted with Captain SAMUEL [Maurice M. Samuel], Company F., 1st Wis. Vol., in 1861.  They were captured at the battle of Chickamauga, and sent to Libby Prison, where under the cruel treatment of their captures they fell victims of want and starvation.  God curse the inhuman monsters who thus cruelly treat captured men.  May they meet with just punishment, in their entire overthrow and extermination.¹

THE THIRTIETH.—We understand that the 30th Regiment has gone to St. Louis on their way to Nashville, thence to join Sherman.  [William T. Sherman]

CLUB MEETING.—Let all the members remember the Club meeting on Monday evening next.  Let the house be full that all may rejoice over our victory.

CHICAGO CO., MINN.—The election in Chicago County passed off quietly.  Taylor’s Falls gave Lincoln 80 majority.  Sweet Lake polled 102 votes, 100 of which were for Honest Old Abe.  [Abraham Lincoln]

Resolutions Adopted by the Polk County Democratic Club.

RESOLVED, That the thanks of this Club are due and hereby tendered to Mr. and Mrs. Rice Webb, for the kindness they have manifested towards us in furnishing us with room and lights, when holding our meetings, and entertaining the ladies while making our flag.

RESOLVED, That the thanks of this Club are due Mr. Merril Nason for the assistance he has rendered in work &c, to this association, at various times when called upon.

RESOLVED, That the thanks of this Club are hereby tendered to Mr. J. F. Abbott for the free use of his Hall on different occasions.

RESOLVED, That the thanks of this Club are due and hereby tendered to the Democratic Ladies of this County, and more especially to those who tendered assistance in preparing the Club flag.  Long may they live ! they will always be remembered as hearty co-operators in the furtherance of Democratic principles, in Polk Co.  God bless them.

RESOLVED, That the thanks of this Club are due and hereby tendered to the different officers of this association, for the enterprising and business like manner in which they have discharged their duties.  May they ever remain true to the faith.

RESOLVED, That the thanks of this Club, are due and hereby tendered to Mr. Barnes, Herbert Wilson and others, for furnishing music whenever called upon.

Signed, DANIEL MEARS, President.

AMOS S. FRAY, Secretary.

GEN. GAYLORD.—We are glad to see that the Adjutant General has so far recovered from his late attack of diathermy as to be out and able to attend to the duties of his office.—Madison Journal.  [Augustus Gaylord]

“We would advise all parties to make their purchases, and to effect their business arrangements with a view to an inevitable and certain advance in prices.”—St. Paul Pioneer, after election.

From the above we suppose that the Pioneer does not like the defeat of its party over much. But there is one thing we do not believe will advance in price under its advice, and that is, the political influence of the Pioneer. It can be bought just as cheap now as ever, and it is almost time for it to turn another somersault.

HOW THE THING STANDS.—In 1860 the vote stood Lincoln 199, opposition 135 in this county; majority for Lincoln 64. The whole number of votes cast in 1860 was 331.

The vote stands thus for 1864.—Lincoln 175. McClellan 107, majority for Lincoln 68. Whole number of votes cast 282.

When we get the returns from our “boys in blue” we shall probably be able to announce an increase of Lincoln’s majority to 112. This we think will do very well.

From The Prescott Journal:

Mark A. Fulton.

MARK A. FULTON is elected to the Assembly by not less than 450 majority on the home vote.  The soldiers will give him all they have.  That will do.

  JOHN W. WINN lost a leg on the field of battle, but he returns show that he can outrun “any other man.”

RETURNED.—Quite a number of the members of Co. A. 12th Reg., have returned within a few days.  Their term of service having expired.  They all meet a warm welcome home.

  The Ladies Loyal League of this city will meet in the basement of the Brick Church, on Friday evening, the 18th inst.  A full attendance is requested.

  The following, which we copy form the Pioneer, of the 8th, is the soundest article we have read in that paper for months :

Let us be sure to vote every one of us, and, if fairly beaten, acquiesce in the verdict of the American people.

Wanted to Know ?

Enquiry is being made for the location of the “Democratic stronghold” in this county.

Diamond Bluff has been taken—Trenton has surrendered—Hartland has capitulated—Martel has “come down”—Perry is redeemed—the First ward of Prescott has gone for Old Abe.

We wait to hear from El Paso.

ELLSWORTH, Nov. 8.

E. JOURNAL :—”We have met the enemy, and they are ours,” was the memorable dispatch of Com. PERRY when he fought and conquered the enemies of our Government on Lake Erie, and thank God, the town of Perry can send you a like dispatch to-night.  We have met the enemy, and beat them four votes, which is much better than we expected, and good enough for Perry.—G. W. C.

GRANT’S LAST MOVEMENT.—The World’s Potomac special says of the recent operations in Virginia, considering the extent of the movements and the number of men engaged, there was very little fighting.  No cannon were used by either side till at the time of the formation of our line of battle, when we placed several batteries in position for the purpose of shelling the woods which still intervened.  The reason none had been used previously was that the woods were so extensive and dense as to render it almost impossible.  After our batteries opened, the rebels were not long in replying, but poured in grape, canister and shells quite freely along nearly the entire from between our  skirmish line and the enemy. There was also severe fighting and the former entered the woods which separated them.  The opposing armies only maintained their lines.  The loss will not be heavy on either side. The result of the movement has been to drive the rebels from a district eight miles long by three wide, a large portion of which is thickly wooded, into breast works, along our front, almost, if not quite, as strong as those in front of Petersburg.

1.  Odd that the editor did not mention the names of the two men. One was David C. Burr, mentioned in last week’s Prescott Journal. The other could have been Duncan McKinzie, from Taylor’s Falls, who was also taken prisoner at Chickamauga and died July 7, 1864, at Andersonville Prison; or Thomas B. Pickett, from Saint Croix Falls, also taken prisoner at Chickamauga and died July 18, 1864, at Andersonville

1864 November 12: Election News from the Prescott Journal

From the November 12, 1864, issue of The Prescott Journal.

T H E   E L E C T I O N S !

A GLORIOUS UNION VICTORY !

Nearly every State for Lincoln. 

Pierce County Union with a Rush. 

It is with genuine pleasure that we present our readers the record of the success of the Union Party, and we rejoice that Pierce County has done so nobly, and extend our congratulation to all who have labored to secure this result.

Every town in the county has gone Union, with perhaps the exception of El Paso, which is not yet heard from.  The majority for Lincoln [Abraham Lincoln] in this county four years ago was 226 ;  now it is 368—his majority greater than the whole Democratic vote.  The whole ticket, congressional, legislative and county, has about the same majority, and soldiers yet to hear from.  Well done for the true men and faithful workers of Pierce County.

THE RESULT.

The result of the election is glorious—equalling [sic] the hope, and fulfilling the expectation of the most sanguine Union men.

From the Atlantic coast—across by the Great Lakes—and away to the Pacific shore, stretches the immense column of the Union States. In unbroken ranks stand the victorious Union hosts, spanning a continent.

Great as the victory seems—magnificent as the result now appears, it will be only as coming years shall garner in its benificent [sic] fruits, and what we now hope for shall have been achieved, that its full proportions will stand revealed.

The American people, with a unanimity not paralleled since the days of Washington, have re-elected their Chief Magistrate, and proclaimed their steadfast purpose to sustain him in the work of suppressing the Rebellion, and preserving the integrity of the Republic.  The Nation—the rebels—the world, will now understand that we mean business, and cherish a purpose that will never falter or fail.

But it is not alone the true Union men who have rolled up such splendid majorities in nearly every State, who are the friends of an undivided Union.  Tens of thousands who cast their votes for M’CLELLAN [George B. McClellan], did so in the firm belief that he would as sternly mantain [sic] the integrity of the Union as LINCOLN himself.  Whether they were mistaken or not, their voices may safely be counted on as proclaiming for the suppression of the Rebellion, and joined to those of the Union party, Rebeldom may well stand agahst [sic] at the power arrayed against it.

The Baltimore Platform lays down two plain propositions ;  First the Rebellion must be fought down ;  Second, Slavery, its cause, must be wiped out.  To these propositions the people have responded, AMEN !  The Republic has been baptised anew, and consecrated to FREEDOM forevermore.

But a little more of darkness, and we shall emerge into the light of that perfect political day which the framers of the Constitution and the soldiers of the Revolution by their faith beheld.

We have met the crisis in our National Life, and passed triumphantly through it. Let us now be true to the purpose expressed, and before us stretch long ages of peaceful repose and concious [sic] power.—Free, united, triumphant, the Republic will stand, and shining brightly on the long roll of its honored sons and faithful servants, will be the name of ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Missouri.

ST. LOUIS, NOV. 8.

Returns meagre.  Republicans estimate Lincoln’s majority in this county between 4,000 and 5,000 on home vote.  Democrats give them 1,500 to 2000.

Henry T. Blow, present Representative, 2d district, re-elected by a large majority.

A large number of refugees in this city voted for McClellan and the Democratic ticket.  Lincoln is undoubtedly elected in this State.  Radical State triumph of ticket regarded certain.

Ohio and Indiana.

CLEVELAND, NOV. 8.

Scattering returns from Ohio and Indiana, show Union gains over the October election, and indicate that Lincoln has carried the two States by heavy majorities

Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD, NOV. 8.

The State has probably gone Republican, and will probably give a small Republican majority in the Legislature.

The Democrats lose Congressmen in the 8th, 13th and 7th Districts, and probably Harris in the 4th.  The Republicans State Senator in Madison and St. Clair counties.  Returns from the eastern part of the State show Republican gains.

PENNSYLVANIA.

Philadelphia, Nov. 8.

All but two wards give 10,200 Union majority.  Republican gain from October, 2268.

MASSACHUSETTS.

One hundred and seventy six towns in Massachusetts foot up, Lincoln 90,000 McClellan 36,681.

CONNECTICUT.

The vote in Connecticut is close but returns indicate that the State has gone for Lincoln.

MAINE.

Maine is good for 20,000 Union majority.

VERMONT.

Vermont gives Lincoln 30,000 maj.

MICHIGAN.

Michigan will foot up about 15,000 majority for Lincoln.

MINNESOTA.

Minnesota gives 6,000 union majority.

NEW YORK, Nov. [_].

RHODE ISLAND.—Returns from nearly the whole State show a majority for Lincoln of about 5,000.

OHIO.—Thirty-five thousand majority for Lincoln on the home vote.

KENTUCKY.—The returns are meagre, but indicate a Democratic majority.—Lexington gives 22 Union majority ;  Falmouth, 695 Union majority ;  Covington, 601 Union majority ;  Paris, 63 Democratic majority ;  Cynthiaus, 126 Democratic majority.

DELAWARE.—Willmington, 800 Union majority—Union gain of 500.

INDIANA.—Indiana has gone Republican by not less than 27,000 to 30,000.

NEW JERSEY.—Essex county has gone Union by over 150 majority, making a Union gain of over 1,000 over last year.  The Legislative delegation is six Union to three Democrats.

ILLINOIS.—In Springfield it is now believed the Republicans have a majority in both branches of the Legislature and gain a Congressman.

NEW YORK.—Total vote of the city :  Lincoln 36, 442 ;  McClellan, 73,329 ;  one ward, the 15th, gave Lincoln a majority of 274.  Total majority for McClellan in the city is 36,613.

LATER.

Returns from 105 towns and two counties give Lincoln 20,794 majority.

In 83 towns and cities, including Albany, Buffalo, Troy, Schenectady, and Utica, and also three counties, McClellan has 16,094 majority.

Indications are that Maryland, Indiana, and Pennsylvania have undoubtedly gone Union.

  New York is estimated to have gone for Lincoln by at least 30,000 majority.  It is not probably that McClellan has carried any State except Kentucky.—The Union men have made large gains of Congressmen, and will probably have two thirds of the next Congress.

 

1864 November 12: Local Election Results

From the November 12, 1864, issues of The Prescott Journal and The Polk County Press come some of the local results from the presidential and local elections of 1864.

PIERCE COUNTY RESULTS
(From The Prescott Journal)

We give only the vote on President and shall publish the official vote next week.

.	…….	Union.	Dem.	Maj.
.	Prescott,	109	69	40
.	River Falls,	122	38	84
.	Martel,	60	27	33
.	Oak Grove,	64	35	29
.	Clifton,	74	20	54
.	Perry,	23	19	4
.	Trimbelle,	58	9	49
.	D. Bluff,	25	19	6
.	Trenton,	13	8	5
.	P. Valley,	32	10	22
.	Salem,	18	10	8
.	Union,	16	2	14
.	Hartland,	25	15	10
.	Isabel,	11	1	10
.	…….
.	Total,	650	282	368

.
POLK COUNTY RESULTS

(From The Polk County Press)

Election Returns—Polk County,

TOWN OF OSCEOLA.

Lincoln & Johnson 55, McClellan & Pendleton 34; maj. for Lincoln and Johnson 21.  [Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, George B. McClellan,
For Member of Congress, 6th District, W. D. McIndoe, Union 55, Henry Reed, Dem., 34; maj. for McIndoe 21.
For State Superintendent of Schools, John G. McMynn.  Union, 55, Parkinson, Dem., 30; maj. for McMynn 25.
For Member of Assembly, Albert C. Stuntz Union, 54, Amos Gray, Dem., 34; maj. for Stuntz 20.
For Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, J. F. Nason, Union, 62, E. E. Blanding, Dem., 26; maj. for Fisk, 21.

TOWN OF FARMINGTON.

Lincoln 32, McClellan 36; maj. for McClellan, 4.
Congressman, McIndoe 33, Reed 36; maj. for Reed 3.
Assemblyman Gray, dem., 46, Stuntz, Un., 22; maj. for Gray 24.
Clerk of the Board, Nason 55, Balding 13, maj. for Nason 42.
Coroner, Fisk 32, Kreiner 36; majority for Kreiner 4.

TOWN OF ST. CROIX.

Lincoln 40, McClellan, 25; maj. for Lincoln 15.
Congressman, McIndoe 41; Reed 24; maj. for McIndoe 17.
Superintendent, McMynn 40, Parkinson 1; maj. for McMynn 39.
Assembly Stuntz 41, Gray 24; majority for Stuntz 17.
Clerk of Board, Nason 40, Blanding 24; majority for Nason 16.
Coroner, Fisk 40, Kreiner 24; maj. for Fisk 16.

TOWN OF STERLING.

Lincoln 24, McClellan 2; maj. for Lincoln, Twenty-Two.
Congressman, McIndoe, 24, Reed 2; majority for McIndoe 22.
Superintendent, McMynn 24 majority.
Clerk of Board, Nason 25, Blanding 1; maj. for Nason 24.
Coroner, Fisk 24, Kreiner 3; maj. for Fisk 22.

TOWN OF ALDEN.

Lincoln 13, McClellan 10, maj. for Lincoln THREE.
Congressman, McIndoe 13, Reed 10: maj. fo rMcIndoe 3.
Superinttendent, McMynn 4 majority.
Assembly, Stuntz 13, Gray 10; maj. for Stuntz 3.
Clerk of Board, Nason 13, Blanding 10. mj for Nason 3.
Coroner, Fisk 3 majority.

TOWN OF LINCOLN.
(estimated)

Lincoln 11, McClellan nix, maj. for Honoest Old Abe ELEVEN.
McIndoe 11, maj.  McMynn 11 maj. Stuntz probably 11 majority; Nason 11 maj., Fisk 11 majority.

THE COUNTY.

Lincoln 175, McClellan 107; majority for Abe & Andy SIXTY-EIGHT.
Member of Congress, McIndoe.  Union, 177; Reed. Democrat, 106; majority for the Champion of the Sixth district, Walter D. McIndoe.  SEVENTY-ONE.
State Superintendent, McMynn, 175.  Parkinson 69; majority for McMynn 106.
For Member of Assembly, Stuntz 165, Gray 116: majority for Stuntz 49.
For Clerk of the Board, Nason 206, Blanding 74; majority for Nason 132.
Coroner, Fisk 176, Kreiner 106; Majority for Fisk 70.

(From The Prescott Journal)

Polk County.

Hon. H. D. Barron estimates the Union majority in Polk County at 75 on the home vote.  The whole county ticket is elected.  St. Croix Falls gave 15 union majority ;  Osceola 21 ;  Sterling 21 ;  Farmington 4 democratic.
.

SAINT CROIX COUNTY RESULTS
(From The Prescott Journal)

St. Croix County.

St. Croix County has gone Union on the home vote by about 75 majority.—The following are the majorities in a portion of the towns.

.		Union.	Dem.
.	Hudson, city	48
.	Malone	51
.	Richmond	51
.	Star Prairie		2
.	Troy	51
.	Hudson, town	1
.	St. Joseph		22
.	Erin Prairie		101
.	Hammond	21
.	Springfield	3
.	Rush River		15
.	…….
.	…….	226	140

.
WISCONSIN RESULTS
(From The Prescott Journal)

Wisconsin.

The returns received from this State indicate a Union majority of about 15,000. Probably we have elected five out of six Congressmen. We give a portion of the returns received :

La Crosse City gave 49 Republican majority—a Republican gain of about 60.

Sparta gives 204 majority for Lincoln.

Oshkosh—88 majority for Lincoln.

Menasha—22 majority for McClellan.

Neenah—97 majority for Lincoln.

Ripon—258 majority for Lincoln.

Burnett—Lincoln 81 majority ;  the county ticket about the same.

Green Bay City—22 majority for Lincoln.  Town of Howard 6 majority for Lincoln.

Whitewater—320 majority for Lincoln and 340 for Paine.

Delevan.—Lincoln’s majority 330 ;  Paine’s majority 327.

Kenosha City—Union majority 61 on President and Congress.

Racine City—Lincoln and Paine’s majority 200.

Waukesha City—Lincoln’s majority 93.

City and town of Ripon, Fond du Lac county, gives Lincoln 258 majority.

Watertown, Jefferson county, gives a Democratic majority on the whole ticket of 450.

Boscobel, Grant county, 115 Union majority.

Prairie du Chien—McClellan 109 majority ;  Rodolph for Congress, 105 majority, which is a large Union gain.

City of Madison—McClellan 113 majority.

City of Fond du Lac—80 majority for Lincoln ;  Sloan about the same.

Milwaukee gives McClellan 2,400 majority.

1864 November 12: Capture of Two Confederate Ships, Slaves Freed in Baltimore, Samuel Medary Dead, Election Results, and Other News

The following summary of the week’s news appeared in The Polk County Press of November 12, 1864.

News Summary.

On the 1st inst., all the slaves in Baltimore were set free in pursuance of the order of the new constitution of Maryland.

— The U.S. Steamer Eolus¹ captured a blockade runner, off Wilmington, on the 28th ult., called the Lady Sterling.  She had 980 bales of cotton which with the prize is valued at $800,000.

“U. S. S. ‘Eolus’ capturing the blockade runner ‘Lady Stirling'” (cropped)¹

— From the 9th of May to the middle of October, 13,000 men were received for the naval service.

— The rebel Gen. Marmaduke and Brig. Gen. Cabal [sic], and several rebel colonels, captured by Pleasanton [sic] at the battle of the Osage have been sent to Johnson’s Island prison.²

— A serious accident happened on the Eric R. Road on the 7th inst.—Ten killed, forty wounded.

— Col. Sam. Medary³ died at Columbus, Ohio, on the 7th inst.

— Plymouth, N.C., at the head of Albermarle sound was captured on the 3d inst., by our fleet.  Two forts and a number of guns are the trophies.

— The pirate Florida was captured by the U. S. Sloop-of-war, Wachusett,⁴ in Bohia [sic] Bay, San Salvador, on the 7th ult.  Twelve officers and fifty eight of her crew were taken.

— Stillwater [Minn.] gave the Union Ticket 40 majority vote.  The first Union victory in the place.

— Marine [Minn.] gave Lincoln 84 majority.  Bully !

— “Beast” Butler had immediate command of New York during the election.  He was the right man in the right place.  [Benjamin F. Butler]

— Gen. Sherman is making another advance in Georgia.  [William T. Sherman]

— No late army movements are reported, owing to the wires be prostrated by a heavy snow East.

— Franconia [Minn.], gave Lincoln and Johnson 50 majority.  Well done, neighbor.

— St. Paul Pioneer of the 9th inst., furnishes us with the material for a pyramid of Democratic victories.  Here it is:

R
AM
SEY

C
OU
.NTY.

— The election passed off very quietly last Tuesday.

1.  During October 1864, the USS Eolus captured the blockade runner Hope and assisted in the capture of the Lady Sterling [misspelled in the title of the image as Stirling]. Later in 1864 and in mid-January 1865, the Eolus will take part in the attacks that will capture Fort Fisher.
2.  The Battle of Mine Creek, also known as the Battle of the Osage, where Confederate generals John S. Marmaduke and William L. Cabell were captured by Union General  Alfred Pleasonton, took place on Octotober 25, 1864.
3.  Samuel Medary (1801-1864), from Ohio, was a lifelong Democrat, a newspaperman, and politician, serving as both a territorial governor of Minnesota (1857-1858) and of Kansas (1859-1860). In the 1830s he established and edited The Ohio Statesman newspaper (1838-1857) and soon became Ohio’s most powerful Democratic voice. After leaving Kansas in 1860, he returned to Ohio to found the Crisis, a Peace/Copperhead paper in which he was very critical of the Civil War and President Lincoln’s policies. A staunch Peace Democrat he consistently called for an immediate end to the war. His views were unpopular in the North and in 1863 a mob burned down his printing office. The next year, he was charged with conspiracy against the United States government. He died before the case went to trial.
4.  In February 1864, the USS Wachusett sailed for the coast of Brazil to protect American commerce from the Confederacy’s “pirate” cruisers, particularly the Alabama and the Florida. Many months passed tracking down fruitless leads as to the whereabouts of the two vessels. Finally, on October 4, the crew of the Wachusett spotted the Florida entering Bahia Harbor. In the early morning of October 7th, the Wachusett steamed past the Brazilian gunboat anchored between his ship and the Florida, rammed the raider, and after a brief exchange of cannon fire the Florida surrendered.  The Wachusett, towing the Florida, arrived in Hampton Roads, Virginia, on November 11.