1                      Bucks County Intelligencer  Election in Camp.  October 1, 1861  Page 3  Col. 2                      1

 

Election in Camp.--The Colonel Commanding

Camp Lacey has issued the following order in relation to

holding election in camp :

HEAD QUARTERS RINGGOLD REGIMENT ; PA. VOLS.,

CAMP LACEY, DOYLESTOWN, OCTOBER 1, 1861.

I.       The Legislature of Pennsylvania having provided that the

Freemen of this State when in the service of the United States as

soldiers, at the time of the General Election, and are stationed

ten miles from their usual place of residence, shall vote at their

camp or quarters for all candidates they would be entitled to vote

for at home, election polls will therefore be opened at Camp La-

cey, Doylestown, on Tuesday the 8th day of October, instant, at

the time prescribed in the general election law.

II.      The officers of companies will conduct said election and

make return, thereof in the manner pointed out in the “Special

Proclamation of the Governor,” dated Harrisburg, September 18,

1861, and published in the papers of the county.  The said offi-

cers of election will provide themselves with ballot boxes for the

occasion, and also obtain form the proper office the necessary

election blanks.

III.     Those soldiers who reside within ten miles of the Camp

will have leave of absence for twelve hours, to repair to their

usual place of voting ; and it is requested that their friends send

conveyances to take them to the polls and bring them back.--

Those who live at a greater distance than ten miles from Camp

can also have leave of absence for a sufficient time to go home

and vote, if they desire it.

IV.     The commanding officer of the Regiment will procure a

proper supply of tickets of both political parties, and see that

they are placed where the men can get them, and thereby vote

for the candidates of their choice.

V.      On the aforesaid day no civilians will be permitted to enter

the encampment while the polls are open, as it is the desire of

the commanding officer that the officers and men of his regiment

shall exercise the right of suffrage without interference from any

quarter.  Inasmuch as political discussions are detrimental to

military discipline, both officers and men are earnestly requested

to refrain from them on the day of election ; and they are pro-

hibited from giving any outward manifestation of partizan bias. 

They will deposit their ballots in an orderly manner, and then

return to their quarters.

By order of        W. W. H. DAVIS, Col. Commanding