Lincoln Letters

Page 110

Thursday, Nov. 10, 1864. Weather remains the same. Some of the boys have been plundering potatoes and the Yanks stopped the rations of all until the interested parties were found out. They soon came to light.

Friday, Nov. 11, 1864. Great speculation about the election. Some say that Lincoln is elected and some say Mac. Very fair but some colder though pleasant. Great many boxes and packages of clothing come in daily for the rebs.

Saturday, Nov. 12, 1864. Very much surprised this morning to find it snowing. Has been drifting a little all day and has grown much colder. Melts nearly as fast as it falls. Irwin is well & all the boys at the Fort.

Page 111

Sunday, Nov. 13, 1864. Has been quite a dull day though not uncommonly so. I get along pretty well. Have a stove and plenty wood to sit by every day and all day except late in the evening. Papers state Col. Mulford has sailed with a truce flag for Port Royal for Union prisoners about to be exchanged. [3]

Monday, Nov. 14, 1864. Have not heard who is elected yet for president—it is a very close run. I believe it inclines to be in Lincoln’s favor. Weather unsettled. Little snow and very cold. Health generally very good.

Tuesday, Nov. 15, 1864. No news today, neither from the election nor from anywhere else, only it is reported that 1500 are to be exchanged from this place—well men. Very cold and snowing all day a little.

Footnotes

[3] Major John Elmer Mulford (he was promoted to Lt. Col. in December 1864) was the U.S. Assistant Agent for Exchange. In November 1864, Mulford headed a prisoner of war exchange mission from Fort Monroe, Virginia, to Port Royal, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia.