OT: Needing Help With Historical Docs. 1868 President Andrew Johnson - Blair Knights

[Michael B]

I cannot decipher the signature, but the initials are A.G.B. It is not Ambrose G. Bierce as his signature was very lineal.

The Blair Knights and Seymour Knights probably refer to Horatio Seymour, Democratic nominee for President in 1868 and his vice-presidential running mate Francis P. Blair, Jr. Blair's father was a member of Lincoln's cabinet and he was a Union General and former Senator. After the war he changed parties from Republican to Democrat as he opposed the Reconstruction policies of the federal government and President Johnson. In the first letter, Mr. Hays refers to the two groups as military organizations. They may have been organized under the umbrella of the first version of the Klu Klux Klan. The first Klan was not terribly organized as many of the people claiming to be members would not agree to the Prescript or dogma. I will not get into the whole history, but there was strong enforcement and prosecution against the groups and it was found that 'members' of the early Klan included Blacks, Republicans, bootleggers, common criminals and a slew of other people. Prior to the 1868 election there was a lot of intimidation of Republican voters in the South to prevent them from partipating in the presidential election. U.S. Grant was still elected.

In summary, these groups referred to were probably Caucasian ex-Confederate soldiers who wanted to restore the rights and franchise of those who supported the CSA. After the original Klan was pretty much disbanded in 1874 other groups like the White League and Red Shirts appeared. These were more paramilitary than the original Klan.

I hope this helps. For background info I formerly collected and dealt in Civil War signatures and documents. A few of the dealers still know me by the finds that I made in the 1990's including a large group of documents signed by Bernard Bee and an 1848 Mexican War letter written by Richard B. Garnett. Bee was a Confederate General killed at First Manassas and is credited with giving 'Stonewall' Jackson his nickname. Garnett was a Confederate General killed at Gettysburg during Pickett's Charge.

Cheers,

Michael

[smokelessjoe]

First let me say Wow! Thank you Michael for your response! I was sort of getting tidbits if what you stated in my research, but nothing as concise & to the point as your post. Thank you, - its funny - it seems that in some of the earlier literature that I have found the authors still wanted to beat around the bush and not state what some of these organizations were... Even several years later.

David, I have tried many variations on the Bruce - still not sure - thank you for the Guess.

A.G.B That Michael stated may be correct - I am wondering if the name is not A.G. Brice - A Louisiana Judge during this period. I am not sure and have not researched enough because of the "Holiday" ... Not sure why he would have been in Washington DC either.

The reason I think "Brice" is check out the second word written in the letter - it is "arrived" and is very similar to the Mystery Name..

Shawn

[smokelessjoe]

This was a tough one (signature) for me.... Below is a letter written by Christian Roselius apparently in response to a request from J. B. Walton & T. L. Macon to advocate a Democratic nomination. The letter is very matter a fact and states I will not because "I Am A Whig" etc...

Christian Roselius was Attorney General of Louisiana for two years and a rather well known lawyer! If it were not for the Wiki Signature below his picture I am not sure if I would have figured it out.

The second picture is a signature from a letter written to Colonel Thomas L Macon from New York on Sept. 20 1868. I wish I new what it is talking about - the first sentence is very intriguing "It's conceded on all sides that the pictures representing the present legislature of our state is the best Campaign Document out - for God Sake send 20,000 Copies at once to Pennsylvania and send me all you can here by express care C.R. Marshall No2 Aster House" and goes on...

Any guesses? Anyone recongnize the name????

[Michael B]

Shawn - J H Wingf---. If I had a DAB - Dictionary of American Biography, from the early 1900's I could probably nail it down. Could be Wingfield, Wingfell, but does not ring any bells. Probably a New York legislator or politico.

[IronHorse2130]

It's interesting that the author of the letter refers to himself as a Whig as the Whig party had pretty much dissolved by the beginning/end of the Civil War.

[IronHorse2130]

The letter addressed to Col Macon is also addressed to this man -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_B._Walton

Also interesting that Louisiana was readmitted to the Union on June 25, 1868, shortly before these letters were written. Can you post a photo of the Sept 20th letter? It would be interesting read the entire content.

[smokelessjoe]

Thank you for the information everyone... For me I can sense the urgency in this letter... I like how he has underlined certain things...

Here is the Letter to Colonel Thomas L Macon: My Translation... Need help with a couple of words.

My Dear Sir
It's conceeded in all sides that the pictures representing the present Legislature of our state, is the best Campaign Document out - for God Sake send 20,000 Copies at once to Pennsylvania and send me all you can here by express care CR Marshall No2 Aster House. As soon as I get them I will go in Company with a large Delegation at once to Pennsylvania. Don't fail, for upon the result of the Oct. Election in Pennsylvania depends?? our only hope.
Our friends say this that if we Carry Pennsylvania in October we will Elect our Candidate & if not, we had as well quit. Every dollar that can be raisen is being sent there.
N.Y. is all ????? and if we carry Pensyl in October we will Carry Ill. & Ohio beyond a doubt, J.H Wingf...

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Michael B

Shawn - J H Wingf---. If I had a DAB - Dictionary of American Biography, from the early 1900's I could probably nail it down. Could be Wingfield, Wingfell, but does not ring any bells. Probably a New York legislator or politico.

This may just be an amazing coincidence, but my g-g-grandfather fought in the Louisiana 3rd Cavalry, under Lt. Col. James H. Wingfield. These Cavalry regiments were generally privately-finance and joining was commonly 'off the books', as was the case with my ancestor. So Wingfield obviously was well-to-do and it would not surprise me if he had been involved in politics, etc., later in life.

[Michael B]

The missing word in the J.H. Wingfield letter is right. It is split up into rig and ht.

[smokelessjoe]

Originally Posted by Runscott

This may just be an amazing coincidence, but my g-g-grandfather fought in the Louisiana 3rd Cavalry, under Lt. Col. James H. Wingfield. These Cavalry regiments were generally privately-finance and joining was commonly 'off the books', as was the case with my ancestor. So Wingfield obviously was well-to-do and it would not surprise me if he had been involved in politics, etc., later in life.

Wow Scott! That is crazy... I did find a letter that had sold at auction that was signed by the very same Wingfield that you speak of... Civil War letter. The signature is different but similiar??? So I assumed it was not the same guy? I will see if I can find the letter again, post the Sig. here and get ya'lls thoughts.

Michael,

I totally see "right" now... Now it is like glaring at me!

Thanks,

[Runscott]

Shawn, if you spot anything else related to Wingfield, please let me know. I have written a short biography of my ancestor, but finding good info on Winfield's regiment was tough.