November 12, 1864
From Illinois, General John A. Logan writes President Lincoln: “I am suffering very much with inflammation in the throat am not able to do duty at present will start to my command as soon as able Can I be permitted to remain a few days for rest & improvement of health before starting.” Logan, a former Democratic politician, had campaign arduously and ardently for President Lincoln. A few weeks earlier, Congressman Elihu B. Washburne had written President Lincoln: “Genl. Jack Logan sends word to me that he wants to go to Washington after the election to see you about certain matters that he does not wish to write about.1 He wishes me to obtain the permission, which I know you will most gladly grant. Please send to me such permission and I will see it reaches him.
We are all hard at work in this state and the prospects for our success are good provided we get a reasonable number of the soldiers home. Logan is carrying all before him in Egypt. I have just got a letter from Cairo and our friends feel quite confident of beating Josh Allen. My majority in this district will not be less than 4,500.
From New York City, General John A. Dix writes President Lincoln regarding the political situation there: “I write you thus early after the overwhelming defeat of the peace party — on which I sincerely congratulate you — because I wish you to understand correctly the state of things here. We know from information derived from all parts of the State that the number of votes drawn off from McClellan by the meeting of the War Democrats at the Cooper Institute was much greater than the majority for the Union ticket. This encourages us to believe, as we had only a fortnight for work, that we can bring to your support a large majority of those, who voted against you at the election. We are not willing that this large body of men should remain neutral — a mere dead weight — but we wish to make it a working & efficient element in support of the war.
I write — not merely to say this — but to tender you my most earnest cooperation in accomplishing an object of so much importance to the Country, and to your enduring fame, as the reestablishment of the Union on a basis of principles, which shall induce its permanent tranquility.–
Victors can afford to be magnanimous; and with a policy at once conciliating and firm, I feel confident we can secure a cordial support to your measures by nearly the whole of the people of this State. Seymour2 and his immediate followers (a small band of poor politicians & worse poorer patriots) we do not want. They will taint by their narrowness of feeling & want of high principle any organization, into which they enter as active elements.
There is one wrong to be redressed. A Genl. Green, one of Gov. Seymour’s appointees & a disloyal man, issued shortly before the election an order, which should be noticed. In a few weeks a loyal Governor will be installed; and, if I am in command of the Department, I will ask you for an order, which is perfectly consistent with the Constitution and laws, & which will reach the case effectually.–
Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War 
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