Legislature elects Lyman Trumbull U.S. senator. On first ballot Lincoln receives 44 votes, Shields 41 and Trumbull 5, but it is soon apparent that Matteson, not Shields, is real choice of Nebraska men and enough Anti-Nebraska men to elect him. Realizing his own defeat, Lincoln throws votes to Trumbull and elects him on tenth ballot. Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 9 February 1855, CW, 2:304-6.