Election Day in 1860 & 1864

The following are from The Lincoln Log which shows the daily activities of President Lincoln.

Tuesday, November 6, 1860. — Springfield, IL

  • Lincoln spends most of it at his state house office. About 3 P.M. he walks quietly to polling place in courthouse. Crowd gives him ovation. After cutting his own name from ballot, he votes straight ticket. Evening he spends in telegraph office, getting returns. S
  • Shortly after midnight he and Mrs. Lincoln attend supper, and soon go home.

Here are a map of the Electoral College vote for the 1860 election:

Electoral College 1860

Tuesday, November 8, 1864 — Washington, DC

  • President interviews Mary E. Collins about special exchange of Capt. William A. Collins, Co. D, 10th Wisconsin Infantry.
  • Recognizes Teodoro Manara as consul of Republic of Guatemala at New York.
  • Tad discovers that soldiers quartered in White House grounds are voting for Lincoln and Johnson. Makes father go to window and watch.
  • At noon Lincoln discusses election with Noah Brooks
  • Receives from Carlos Pierce mammoth ox called “General Grant.”
  • 6:30 P.M. John Nicolay in Springfield, Ill., reports majority of 20 for Lincoln in township.
  • At 7 P.M. in rain President and John Hay go to Sec. Stanton ‘s office in War Dept. to receive election returns. Stanton and Sec. Welles, Asst. Secs. Fox and Dana, and others are present. During lull in telegraphic reports Lincoln reads aloud from writings of Nasby. Stanton expresses indignation at nonsense.
  • At mid-night Maj. Eckert provides supper. Lincoln “shovels out fried oysters.” During evening and night former Sec. Chase, Col. Eaton, Whitelaw Reid, correspondent for Cincinnati “Gazette,” and others pay short visits.
  • “I have the honor to resign my commission as a Major General in the Army of the U.S.A., with the request that it may be accepted to take effect today. I am, sir, very respectfully, George B. McClellan.”
  • Lincoln writes managing committee of Sailors’ Fair in Boston: “Allow me to wish you a great success. . . . To all, from Rear Admiral, to honest Jack I tender the Nation’s admiration and gratitude.”

Now, get out there and vote….

You May Also Like…

Sullivan Ballou’s Last Letter

Sullivan Ballou’s Last Letter

On this Valentine's Day, we remember the eloquent words of Major Sullivan Ballou whose last letter was written to his...

Thomas Nast’s Christmas Eve

Thomas Nast’s Christmas Eve

Thomas Nast created "Christmas Eve" for Harper’s Weekly in which he portrayed a wife separated from her soldier...

1 Comment

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *