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Abraham Lincoln Papers Abraham Lincoln papers 1 From Albert G. Hodges to Abraham Lincoln , May 10, 1864 1 Hodges was a Frankfort, Kentucky newspaper editor who had met with Lincoln on March 26, 1864 to discuss the enlistment of black soldiers in Kentucky. Hodges was so impressed with Lincoln's remarks during their interview that he asked Lincoln to put them in writing. Lincoln complied with Hodges' request and sent him a letter on April 4. Hodges then became a regular correspondent who kept Lincoln apprised of affairs in Kentucky. A draft of Lincoln's April 4 letter is in this collection. Frankfort, Kentucky, May 10, 1864. My dear Sir: As I promised to write you occasionally, and keep you posted as to Kentucky, after being confined by indisposition for ten days to my room, I proceed to comply with that promise. In my correspondence with you, I wish you to consider what I may write, as strictly in the confidence of friendship, for the reason that I may speak of men and their conduct towards you and your administration in condemnatory terms, when peradventure I may do them injustice. I give you my impressions, as made upon me now. I hope, in some of the cases I may refer to, I may be mistaken. It will be gratifying to me if it shall appear hereafter that I am. Since I wrote you last, I frankly acknowledge that I am not so sanguine about carrying Kentucky for you at the November election 2 as I then was, for the reason that I anticipated having the hearty co-operation of Gov. Bramlette 3 and Hon. Arch. Dixon, not only in the recommendation of your nomination for re-election, but also in a warm support after your nomination. Both being gentlemen of high standing in our State, and representatives of the two sections, and of much popularity, I had hoped much for our cause, in the coming Presidential election, from their personal influence, after the cordial manner you received them, and your cheerful compliance with every request made by them so far as Kentucky interests were concerned. I had a right to infer this from declarations made to me, personally, before I left my home in Kentucky, and also at Washington after their interview with you. I am now apprehensive that both of them will support the nominee of the Chicago Convention, if it be McClellan or Fillmore. My impression is that McClellan is not the choice of the leading politicians in Kentucky, who are 4 acting in concert with Guthrie, Prentice, &c., for the reason that he was originally Democratic in Abraham Lincoln papers http://www.loc.gov/resource/mal.3297100 his opinions. The prominent Union men in Kentucky who are now for the Chicago nominee were formerly old line whigs, and they all prefer, I think, Mr. Fillmore, and will use their whole powers to give him the nomination. Mr. Fillmore was formerly very strong in Kentucky, and if nominated, I fear will carry off a large portion of the Union party here. 2 Thomas E. Bramlette 3 Archibald Dixon, a Kentucky politician and lawyer, replaced Henry Clay in the U. S. Senate and served from 1852 until 1855. 4 James Guthrie and George D. Prentice 5 6 The speeches of Col. Woolford and Col. Jacob — both claiming to have shed their blood in trying to quell this rebellion — is producing a good deal of division in the ranks of the Union party, and favoring as they do, the nominee of the Chicago Convention. And whilst they lampoon the Secessionists as well as your administration, in their speeches, yet the great body of the secessionists will vote with them in the Contest against you. 5 Frank Wolford, the former commander of a cavalry division and colonel of the 1st Kentucky Cavalry, was dismissed from the army in March 1864 for making speeches in which he had advocated resistance to the enlistment of black soldiers and denounced President Lincoln. After his dismissal, Wolford continued his verbal assault upon the Lincoln Administration and was again arrested by the military authorities. There are several documents in this collection that pertain to Wolford's case. See especially, Abraham Lincoln, Parole for Frank Wolford, July 7, 1864; Lincoln to Wolford, July 17, 1864; and Wolford to Lincoln, July 30, 1864. 6 Richard T. Jacob was a Kentucky Unionist who organized the 9th Kentucky Cavalry and served as the regiment's colonel. In 1863 Jacob was elected lieutenant governor of Kentucky and became an outspoken critic of the Lincoln Administration because of his opposition to the Emancipation Proclamation. Jacob adamantly opposed the enlistment of black soldiers and in 1864 he actively campaigned for George B. McClellan. In November 1864 he was arrested by the military and banished to the Confederacy. For more on his case, see Jacob to Lincoln, December 26, 1864 and Lincoln to Jacob, January 18, 1865. Whilst we have these discouragements, still we have a good deal to encourage us. As far as heard from, in the 110 counties in the State, our friends have had meetings in about Sixty counties, and appointed Delegates to our Convention which assembles in Louisville on the 25th of this month, Abraham Lincoln papers http://www.loc.gov/resource/mal.3297100 whilst to the Guthrie, Prentice Convention, which assembles on the same day at the same place, there have only been twenty one or twenty two county meetings to send Delegates to that Concern. From every part of the State, as far as I can learn, among our friends, you are the first choice, and will receive, I doubt not, the almost unanimous nomination for re-election by our people. It is unnecessary for me to say that it is eminently just to you for the very able manner in which you have discharged the arduous duties devolved upon you in this great crisis of our country's history, but is exceedingly gratifying to me personally, as I am sure you have been the instrument, in hands of God, from preventing Old Kentucky from going into Rebeldom. I am gratified, also, in informing you that your letter to me is doing good even in Kentucky. Many laboring men who, until they read that letter, were holding back, are now coming out in vindication of your course. Your views in regard to Slavery, as set forth in that little speech in your reception room, was so much in accordance with my own views and feelings, from my earliest manhood, that I could not resist the temptation to ask the favor of you to write it out for me. I have received the thanks of many old and young friends in Kentucky for having obtained your views as set forth in that letter. As it is my purpose, if my health will permit, to try and to go to Baltimore as a Delegate from this Congressional District, I hope to have the pleasure of calling upon you, immediately before or immediately after the Convention. The news of the success of our arms by the Army of the Potomac is giving great joy to our people, whilst the heads of both Copperheads and Rebel Sympathisers are hanging low indeed. May God continue to preserve your life, health, and usefulness to our common country Yours truly, A. G. Hodges. Abraham Lincoln papers http://www.loc.gov/resource/mal.3297100.
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