was to guard the coastline. In 1864, Hamlin’s unit was called up for service, and he responded. He served for two months, starting as a private and earning a promotion to corporal. He worked in the kitchen preparing meals for his unit, and served guard duty. (As Vice President, however, he was assigned to officers’ quarters.) Hamlin could have avoided duty, but chose to serve as an example to other citizens. “I am the Vice-President of the United States, but I am also a private citizen, and as an enlisted member of your company, I am bound to do my duty. I aspire only to be a high private in the rear ranks, and keep in step with the boys in blue.” After his tour of duty ended in early September, he campaigned for the Republican ticket in Maine, New England, New York and Pennsylvania.
The copyright of the article
ALMOST PRESIDENT: HANNIBAL HAMLIN, PART II in
American Presidents is owned by John S. Cooper. Permission to republish
ALMOST PRESIDENT: HANNIBAL HAMLIN, PART II in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Latest Articles