American Historical Ephemera & Photography

DAHLGREN, John A. (1809-1870). Letter signed ("J.A. Dahlgren") as Rear Adm. Comm. South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, to Acting Master J.[?] K. CROSBY, Comm. USS Harvest Moon at Port Royal Harbor, onboard the Philadelphia at Port Royal, SC, 19 October 1864. 1 1/3 pp., 4to, toning, light soil. Crosby is charged with proceeding to Savannah River, Wassaw, Ossabaw[?], Sapelo, and Doboy to collect “the ‘Sailors Votes,’ already distributed for that purpose—A number of ballots will be given you, in order to enable the men to vote." Dahlgren then continues noting that the commanders of vessels will “endorse on your order, the time of your arrival, and departure at each station” and warns Crosby that "No detention must occur as the time is short...." On the verso are endorsements of officers on 8 ships.

[With:] Two partly-printed documents signed. “Sailor’s Power of Attorney,” completed 19 October 1864, by John L. THOMPSON, “attached to the United States Vessel Eutaw,” authorizing Robert E. Lounsbury [?] to cast his ballot in the 8 November 1864 election as allowed by an "Act of the Legislature of the State of New-York, entitled 'An Act to enable qualified electors of this State, absent therefrom in the Millitary Service of the United States, in the Army & Navy thereof to vote, passed April 21st 1864.'" Signed at the foot by Homer C, BLAKE, Lt. Comm., Eutaw, a ship operating as part of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron primarily on the Potomac and James Rivers. -- Accompanied by Thompson’s affidavit swearing that he meets the criteria for eligibility to vote but will be aboard the Eutaw on election day, also signed by Commander Blake. 

A UNIQUE AND FASCINATING GROUP OF VOTING DOCUMENTS RELATIVE TO THE 1864 ELECTION