Unknown [Letter discussing post Civil War party politics in West Virginia] [incomplete]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08606.07 Author/Creator: Unknown Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: circa 1869-1870 Pagination: 2 p. ; 24.9 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy
An unknown author discusses the details of a West Virginia election. States, "The voters at Chaplin & Shepherdstownship all voted. Some rebels who were at the polls in said townships on the day of election offered colored ballots which were refused ... " Describes that when some voters were informed that they were required to take an oath required by an 1865 law, they refused to offer their ballots. Further states " ... if the supervisors of Jefferson County excluded any ballots from the count, they had good reasons for so doing, they having a right so to do." Attests to the removal of colored ballots containing the recipient's name from boxes in Charlestown, West Virginia. Charges "that you together with other copperheads used your best effort to prevent a legal election being held in Jefferson Co ..." Contains pages numbered two and three.
[excerpt]
… Some rebels who were at the polls ... offered colored ballots which were refused. Others asked whether they could vote and when they told if they were challenged they would be obliged to take the test oath…refused to offer the ballots…at the Charleston Polls the Inspectors of election were not appointed according to law ... I charge that you together with other copperheads used your best efforts to prevent a legal election being held in Jefferson Co: that you disregarded the laws of the State and advised others so to do…
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