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Elections

1863 governor's election

On 12 October 1863, the Philadelphia Press published a letter signed by men on duty at Camp Cadwalader, asking Pennsylvanians to re-elect Governor Curtin. Three men from the 91st signed it: Matthew Hall (E), John Lentz (F & S), and Samuel Burns (C).

1864 presidential election

According to Thomas Walter, Robert Gray was the only member of company A to vote for McClellan. Twenty-six voted for Lincoln, and about a dozen "remained neutral". (Perhaps they voted for McClellan, but didn't tell anyone!) Gray's reason for voting for McClellan was that he had never voted for any successful candidate for major office, and was worried that Lincoln would lose if he voted for him! (1)

Walter claims that some people in the regiment did prefer McClellan (1). But he thought that no one in the regiment contributed to a proposed testimonial for him (1). Simeon Zane, a corporal in company A, had been so outspoken in favor of McClellan after McClellan was relieved that he was nicknamed McClellan (2). But by 1864 even he had stopped supporting McClellan (1). Walter claims that when McClellan was relieved in November 1862, most of the regiment was pleased, but he wrote this with the benefit of hindsight (2)! (On 25 September 1863, the regiment received a circular from brigade headquarters "[s]uspending all Action in regard to the McClellan Testimonial".)

Sources

1 T[homas] F Walter. 'Personal recollections and experiences of an obscure soldier'. Grand Army Scout and Soldiers' Mail at volume 3 number 51 page 1.

2 T[homas] F Walter. 'Personal recollections and experiences of an obscure soldier'. Grand Army Scout and Soldiers' Mail at volume 3 number 36 page 1.

3 'An urgent appeal from the soldiers', Philadelphia Press, 12 October 1863, page 2


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revised 8 Nov 08
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