- Dear Jeff,
-
- I read the article you linked to 'How America Lost the
Civil War' and one of the readers who I know personally is a school teacher
- and who is not the type of person to make something up - posted this
on my forum in reply to it:
-
- "Well, it's certainly true that we don't learn all
sides of the story in school. The following is part of a letter that my
great great (David Ingraham) sent to his wife (Hannah) from Morris Island,
S.C. on Sunday, October 23, 1864. I have a copy of the entire letter but
have left out parts that were just sharing of family news. Hope you enjoy
reading this. Note the comment about the "Tyrant Lincoln."
-
- ..."Yesterday we got 50 recruits that enlisted for
the 144th NY. They had more than they wanted to fill the Regt. so our Co.
got 50 of them. They are nearly all farmers' sons from Delaware County
all one year men that have had large Bounties. I am to take a lot of them
to the front tomorrow under fire. It will be a good introduction for them
to Uncle Sam's Service.
-
- Well, we, or rather they, in this Department have cast
votes for the next President. It turned out as I feared it would - the
men had not a chance to cast a free vote.
-
- The Repubs tried to keep the Democratic tickets (ballots
- ed) back and not let them be circulated,and partially succeeded. In
a Penn. Regt. joining us, a man asked (for) a McClellan ticket and was
told there was none; he insisted on it in a civil manner.
-
- His Capt had him put in the guard house. Then 8 or 10
Republicans went to where he was confined and called him a traitorous Son
of a B---h. He rushed out and knocked a couple of them down, then his Capt
had him tied hand and foot and put a gag in his mouth. And this is not
the only case of the kind. There are many similar ones.
-
- Oh, American Citizens where is your boasted freedom now?
The Tyrant Lincoln has taken it from you, and if he is re-elected will
finish the remainder of what is now begun. I for one voted a Democratic
ticket which I wrote out. I took it to the Pool and requested to be sworn
on the Power of Attorney. Some one made a remark in rather a sneering manner
that did not please me. I then took occasion to say before the crowd that
by existing law every man had an equal right (at) the polls to vote as
they saw fit, and that I as a soldier and citizen of the U.S. claimed that
right, and I for one was ready to defend that right.
-
- I expected to be sat upon by 6 or 8 abolitionists but
they were still as mice while I was being sworn and as I left the tent
I heard one of the cowardly dogs remark that the Sergt was in earnest and
meant fight. Probably if I had not been able to take my own part I too
would have been driven from the Polls.
-
- I am convinced that the feelings of the soldiers are
in favor of McClellan but the vote will be in favor of Lincoln through
coercion but I will say no more about it.
-
- This morning the blockage (blockade -ed) fleet drove
a large blockage runner ashore under the guns of the Rebel Fort Moultrie
where she lay helpless while our large 15 inch shell sent crashing through
her till she was a complete wreck.
-
- The weather is fine here now, but quite cool nights.
We were paid a couple of days ago for two months. We shall receive no more
pay in S.C. I believe we are to leave Morris Island about Nov. 15th and
Hilton Head Nov. 20th for N.Y. to be mustered (out -ed) and well that is
only a month. If we keep our health that time will soon pass and we will
soon be at home. Well, I'm glad the time is getting so short. The sooner
we get off the better I shall like it...."
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