By Elaine Grublin
The following excerpt is from the diary of Stephen Greenleaf Bulfinch.
Sunday, Nov. 6th
In public affairs, I record the startling discoveries of election fraud in New York, & of a conspiracy against the gov’t in Indiana. Next Tuesday decides the election of President; – & my preference is for Mr. Lincoln, alike from personal approval, – as he is identified with the cause I believe to be right, and as I think that a change of system now would delay, instead of advancing, the return of peace.
Wednesday Nov. 16th
The election decided by a very great majority in favor of Mr. Lincoln, & the magnanimous & Christian manner in which he has expressed himself thereon, – are makers of history. There was a very [-elty] illumination here in honor of the result. Last news is of Sherman’s leaving Atlanta, supposed for Savannah & Charleston. At present there is going on in Boston a great ‘Sailors’ Fair,’ for the establ. of a naval hospital; My girls have attended, – through kindness of Uncles T. & H. & we propose to see some more of its wonders.
Sunday, Nov. 27th
Public attention is now fixed on the daring march of Sherman through the interior of Georgia – & the recent capture of the Florida in the waters of Brazil, with the danger of misunderstanding with that power. Hope dawns, but we fear lest we hope too much.