Raynors HCA 2019-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019
A great Lincoln reelection letter, 4pp. legal size folio, written by Pvt. Jeremiah J. Cake, Battery I, Penn. Light Artillery, Fort Worth, Va., Aug. 15, 1864, to his friend Henry C. Gingrich, in very small part: "…the late call of the President for 500,000 more men to fill up our depleted armies, although, not so very pleasant…to 'able bodied men' at home…takes very well in the army…it was a very wise measure…worthy of our sagacious magistrate. I could wish…that each district would make up her full quota by volunteering. That, however, seems to be out of the question and the only final remedy will be to raise the men by a 'horrid' draft. 'It is hard but fair.'…I only hope that a goodly number of 'Copperheads' will be found…among the lucky ones. You express your willingness to go and I am glad of it…there are however, some in your town…whom I would rather see in the army than yourself…for instance there is Leber-he would make a good drum major. Then there is my very good friend the dentist. He could be used in our Battery without teeth as we have no cartridges to bite off. Nathan Nosley, Esq. ex-legislator…sole agent…of that loyal sheet the 'Lancaster Intelligencer'…I frequently heard him boost of his skill as a horseman. We need some scouts. I hope he will be induced in some way…we Pennsylvania soldiers are under many obligations to you, our loyal friends, for your kind remembrance of us at the polls on the 2nd Inst. We are…aware of the sneaking manner in which our enemies endeavored to carry out their nefarious schemes. Thank God! they failed. We mean in return for the glorious privilege which you granted us [the right to vote by absentee ballot]…which we have the right to, at the Presidential election in November next, to show to you, that you have not misplaced your confidence. We mean to give our vote for a man who will uphold the integrity of this great nation and that man is none other than Honest Old Abe…there is a disposition in the north…to believe that the soldiers are in favor of 'peace on any condition' and that should the so-called democratic party…nominate a peace man for president…that the soldiers will go with them…so far, as my observations extends, I think the voice of the Pennsylvania soldiers, next November, will bear…that the soldiers of the Keystone State…will do no such thing. They deserve peace…they want a peace alike honorable to themselves and their government. They are not willing that the blood of their comrades should have been shed in vain…an honorable peace can not be obtained by placing, in power, the sadly degenerated Democratic party. They will vote for Lincoln's re-election knowing that by doing so an honorable peace will be sooner attained. I believe, that the next 4th of July will find the war at an end…I have many reasons for believing this…follow the example of the soldiers in November next, and all will be well. Battery "I" is still doing duty at Fort Worth. The men are armed with Springfield Rifled muskets…should like very much to witness some of Gen. Grant's 'running operations' in front of Petersburg. The boys don't like muskets…our battery is in need of about twenty good men. We lost some by discharges, deaths, desertions, two have been sent to the Dry Tortugas 'for the war', and one to 18 months hard labor on the fortifications here, and then to be dishonorably discharge. Capt. Nevin is a rigid disciplinarian. Please recommend all patriotic young men who desires to enlist [come] to Battery "I"…J. J. Cake." Minor soiling, else VG
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