21st Ohio Infantry

Item LTR-610

Description

4 pages, original Civil War Union letter written in period ink and war dated.

Near Rome, Georgia

October 30th 1864

E. F. Dunn Sir,

Your kind and welcome letter of the 17th inst was received several days ago. I think the 19th inst and owing to being on an active campaign, in pursuit of old Hood, I could not answer sooner. We have now come back as far as this place and laying here for two or three days to rest. While we were on the chase we had no chance to send mail but once before I got your letter I that you kindly for the favor of you for sending me the two platforms. I will now have but little time to write as hope you will excuse my brevity. The election went off smoothly here. We were marching all that day and every time we stopped to rest, we would poll our votes. I have neglected to learn the number of votes cast. I know that the boys did not all vote from the fact we did not have time to take in all the votes. But the union ticket is far ahead and will be in November. It has been reported there at home (so we have learned) that our regiment would go almost unanimously for Mc. But I am happy to inform you that it is not the truth. It is just the reverse. After we heard that it was so reported at home, we concluded we would satisfy ourselves. So we got the companies to take a vote on it. It proved that there were about fifteen for Lincoln to three for Mc. In all the companies but Company G, which you know cast eight votes for McClellan, have last fall). That company will give Mc the majority, out of about twelve votes. So far as I can learn (and I have made some inquiries) the army will give an overwhelming majority for Lincoln and Johnson. If the people at home are as sound for Abe as the soldiers, his election is certain. If I had time and a comfortable place to write, I would give you a more precise history of things. But I have to hunker down as best I can to write and being a poor writer at best, it will as much as you can do to read it. And we have been marching hard and my hand is very nervous.

I wish I could tell you what I think of the democratic platform. But I haven’t time. You will excuse me but rest assured that the army has a bit vote for Abe and Andy. I will tell you a little incident that occurred during this campaign to the rear. When the rebels attacked Altoona, a little station on the railroad, they charged the works of our little garrison and during the charge the rebels hollered hurrah for McClellan. I learned this from one of our soldiers that was here and heard them. I can rely on its truth. I hope you may get this before the 8th of November. I had no chance to send a letter sooner. Accept my regards and believe me your friend,

Q. A. Randall

P.S. I will write again the first opportunity.