First of all, a friendly reminder tomorrow is Election Day and please exercise your civic duty. Having been an election official for many years, voter turnout is high priority in more ways than one. There is considerable amount work months prior for this one special day, and months afterwards. Now, I will get off my soap-box.
The general election of 1864, nationally and locally, was very intense due to the Civil War. Tensions ran high. A correspondent to the Sacramento Union in October 1864 providing the conditions in and around Susanville and duly noted when it came to the forthcoming election that: “Should they, [the Confederate sympathizers], however, attempt any violence here, they will be promptly met by men of equal caliber. Upon information, Capt. Hassett has determined to remain here with a portion of his company of Nevada Volunteers.”
It should be noted for the record that Captain Malachi R. Hassett of the Nevada Territorial Infantry, a mobile military unit, from Fort Churchill established in August 1864, a military encampment named Camp Susan, on the outskirts of Susanville. Their mission was to scout the territory from Susanville, north to Surprise Valley and east to the Humboldt mines of Nevada. Hassett’s presence must not have been needed for the Lassen County election, as he was ordered back to Fort Churchill in late October.