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

[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...

[smokelessjoe]

Here is another letter to Thomas Macon in support of the Democratic State Central Committee... I believe it is signed by "A. G. Cantley" ?

Here is some tragic info I found online (if it is the same Cantley)... Killed himself in July of 1878.

Judge A.G. Cantley, formerly Judge of the Probate Court in Texas, and late Clerk of the Committee of Commerce in the House of Representatives at Washington City, committed suicide yesterday morning at about 4:30 o'clock, at the residence of his son-in-law, James McGrew, agent for the Cincinnati Gas Company, on the corner of Mound and Main avenues, Avondale, by shooting himself ...

[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.

[smokelessjoe]

Scott, I will definitely send you what I have found... I wish I knew about your relative when I first started looking into Wingfield. I cannot find some of the stuff I had found when I first started - but I do have a few things....

Here is another letter from David Flanery... Talking about the Presidential results for Seymour & Grant. I really like the envelope "The United States Military Telegraph" - Neat thing is that I watched the new Lincoln movie and saw Lincoln at the telegraph office and had the same envelope!

Below also is a newspaper article about the election - I think it gives you a good idea of what was going on at the time of the election.

Also pictured is a transcription from the "The House of Representatives.Second Session of the Forty-Second Congress 1871" - apparently Flanery had written to the Louisiana Investigating Committee about Governor Warmoth and his illegal practice of selling dispatches... Sorry about the poor quality.

All of this stuff is so intriguing to me!

[smokelessjoe]

Here is a letter naming Thomas Macon an honorary member of the Jefferson Democratic Club (Jefferson City, Louisiana).

Not finding much on the club or Mr. Blanchard - I think just one of many local political clubs of no real influence. Still, a neat little letter...

Sorry about the blurr.... Not a real fan of these phone cameras...

[smokelessjoe]

I am probably boring everyone to death.... Again, sorry about the poor quality photos...

Here is a letter from Thomas L Macon to the Chairman & Members of the National Executive Committee in New York City... States he is sending James B Eustis (US Senator) to talk about the affairs.... Interesting in that the Wiki on Mr Eustis talks about him going to speak with President Andrew Johnson...

Tidbit from Wiki on James Eustis: "He was elected a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives prior to the Reconstruction acts, and was one of the committee sent to Washington, D.C. to confer with President Andrew Johnson on Louisiana affairs. He was again a member of the State house of representatives in 1872, and was a member of the Louisiana Senate from 1874 to 1878."

The Letter reads as follows:

Sir,
I take pleasure in presenting to your favorable attention the Hon. James B Eustis of this city who is on a visit to New York. I have taken the liberty to request him to call on the National Executive Committee, and confer with them on the political situation here. Mr. Eustis is finely? posted as to our difficulties, and our chances of success in this state. And any communication he may make can be implicitly relied upon. With respect ?????? Gentlemen Your abiding servant T. L. Macon President Dem. State Central Committee.