Abraham Lincoln: Getting Re-elected, 1864

The possessor of this small token supported Abraham Lincoln for president in 1864. Trinkets, such as this one, reminded American citizens why they backed certain parties and candidates. Most tokens were just that -- small coins carried around in purses or pockets. This token, however, could be attached to a ribbon or pin and became an outward display of support for the Republican candidate.

After a gloomy summer of Union defeats and casualty lists, President Lincoln's re-election hopes seemed slim. But finally, several Union victories gave him the needed public support to win the 1864 election by a landslide. The phrase "Rally round the Flag, Boys!" was part of a Lincoln-Johnson campaign song modified from the 1862 patriotic song, "The Battle Cry of Freedom."

After a gloomy summer of Union defeats and casualty lists, President Lincoln's re-election hopes seemed slim. But finally, several Union victories provided the public support to win the 1864 election by a landslide. The phrase "Rally 'round the Flag, boys" was part of a Lincoln-Johnson campaign song modified from the 1862 patriotic song, "The Battle Cry of Freedom."

In 1864, incumbent President Lincoln and former Democrat Andrew Johnson ran on the National Union Party ticket--so named to attract War Democrats and Border State Unionists who would not vote Republican. After a gloomy summer of Union defeats and casualty lists, Lincoln's re-election hopes seemed slim. But, finally, several Union victories gave him enough support to win the election.

In 1864, incumbent President Lincoln and former Democrat Andrew Johnson ran on the National Union Party ticket--so named to attract War Democrats and Border State Unionists who would not vote Republican. After a gloomy summer of Union defeats and casualty lists, Lincoln's re-election hopes seemed slim. But, finally, several Union victories gave him enough support to win the election.

Late-nineteenth-century political parties rallied their supporters by holding torchlight parades. In the evening, marchers lit up the street carrying torches, lamps and lanterns. Inexpensive paper lanterns glowed with the image or name of the party's candidate or other patriotic imagery. In 1864, backers of General George McClellan used lanterns like this to call for the defeat of the "Old Joker," President Abraham Lincoln.

Late-nineteenth-century political parties rallied their supporters by holding torchlight parades. In the evening, marchers lit up the street carrying torches, lamps and lanterns. Inexpensive paper lanterns glowed with the image or name of the party's candidate or other patriotic imagery. Backers of the Union would proudly carry a lantern like this at parades during and just after the Civil War.

In 1864, incumbent President Lincoln and former Democrat Andrew Johnson ran on the National Union Party ticket--so named to attract War Democrats and Border State Unionists who would not vote Republican. After a gloomy summer of Union defeats and casualty lists, Lincoln's re-election hopes seemed slim. But, finally, several Union victories gave him enough support to win the election.

After a gloomy summer of Union defeats and casualty lists, President Lincoln's re-election hopes seemed slim. But, finally, several Union victories gave him the needed public support to win the 1864 election by a landslide. This unusual campaign stickpin holds a ferrotype (or tintype) portrait of Abraham Lincoln.

Late-nineteenth-century political parties rallied their supporters by holding torchlight parades. In the evening, marchers lit up the street carrying torches, lamps and lanterns. Many of these political lanterns glowed with slogans and patriotic symbols. Supporters of President Lincoln and the Union would have carried this torch during the 1864 campaign.