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38th Penn. Vols Elect Their Officers

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War-date Union soldier's letter, 1p. folio, written by 1st Sgt. Jacob S. Winans, Co. H, 38th Penn. Vols., Camp Pierpont, Nov. 9, [1861] concerning the election of officers in the regiment, reading, in part: "…Lieut. Price tendered his resignation some time ago. It was accepted the 6th, we had election yesterday. Lieut Irwin of Co. 'E' & I were candidates. Our boys would not vote for me, or at least the greater part of them, they were afraid that if I was elected Riley Hawkins would be Orderly Sergt. It seems that Riley got the men down on him, while he was acting in my place while I was sick. Lieut. Irwin got 12 majority, but Colonel Jackson declared the election illegal. We had another election today but with a different result. I received 45 votes, Lieut Chamberlain 14, Henry Lloyd 8 , W.R. King 1…". The original cover is included. Winans served throughout the war in the 38th and fought in the battles of Gaines Mills, Antietam and Fredericksburg. VG

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