140. AN EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF VOTER INTIMIDATION IN THE GEORGIA ELECTION OF 1868 An arresting letter written by Lt. Edward P. Doherty of the 5th Cavalry in Athens, Georgia to Provisional Governor Rufus Bullock describing how a mob prevented a group of black voters from casting their ballots in the November 1858 election in Elberton, Georgia. A.L.S., 4pp. 4to., "Head Qrs Post of Athens, Athens, Geo." Nov. 8, 1868, marked "Personal", in most part: "...The negro have long been intimidated by the Whites as well as by the Soldiers Stationed at Elberton during April Elections as an effort to this I made it Known throughout the County that the scene enacted in April last would not be repeated and that I was [illeg.] to protect and permit Colored voters to vote as they leased. About nine ock. a.m. the 3d by...the negroes to the number of about three hundred assembled opposite my stables Mr A. proceeded to distribute Republican tickets among them, & while doing so a crowd of whites gathered around him & grossly insulted him, prominent among these Rowdies was a member of the Legislature... When Mr Akerman had distributed the tickets he requested me to be an eye witness of what was to take place as the colored men went to vote...citizens Commenced firing off their pistols and a negro was struck on the head with a pistol., the blood flowed profusely and he, almost mad with fear rushed in among the throng of negroes who were about the Polls, they... retreated to my stables followed by a Crowd of Whites who Kept up shooting in the air. Mr Akerman remained at the polls and us subjected to all sorts of insults. I afterward tried to get the freemen to vote assuring their protection, but as soon as they would get close to the Polls the firing would Commence and they would retreat without casting their Votes. Finding from observation that the negroes could not vote as they desired I advised them to go home. Some of them were afterwards picked up on the different roads by the Rebels and compelled to vote their ticket. I several times remonstrated with the Sheriff but he persistently refused to allow me to interfere stating that he was able to keep the peace; under my instructions I could not interfere. Some two or three hundred stand of arms were concealed in a store in the Town to be used in case the Military interfered-- the whole election in Elberton was fraud and ought to be thrown out..." The letter was forwarded to an unnamed general (most likely George Meade) by Governor RUFUS BULLOCK enclosed in an impassioned A.L.S. by Bullock, 1p. 4to., Atlanta, Nov 10, 1868 which reads in full: "The enclosed is transmitted as a specimen of almost daily correspondence from this office. I am doing all in my power to retrain the people from promiscuous assassination, but unless Congress comes to our relief, & restores our loyal legislature -- one that will enact laws to protect the loyal laws that can be enforced it must be by the aid of military power: only flight or death can save a Republican from the torments of the damned." A fine content set of manuscripts giving an uncommon eyewitness account of voter intimidation by bands of vigilantes in the south, early in the history of Reconstruction. Rufus Brown Bullock (for a biography of Bullock, see lot 137). Very good $800-1,200