THE PAPERS AND WRITINGS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN
VOLUME SIX
CONSTITUTIONAL EDITION
Edited by Arthur Brooks Lapsley
CONTENTS
[ THE WRITINGS OF A. LINCOLN, Volume Six, 1862-1863 ]
[ RECOMMENDATION OF NAVAL OFFICERS ]
[ TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ SPEECH TO THE 12TH INDIANA REGIMENT, MAY [15?] 1862 ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL. ]
[ MEMORANDUM OF PROPOSED ADDITIONS TO INSTRUCTIONS OF ABOVE DATE ]
[ FROM SECRETARY STANTON TO GENERAL McCLELLAN. ]
[ PROCLAMATION REVOKING GENERAL HUNTER'S ORDER OF MILITARY EMANCIPATION, ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. E. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL McCLELLAN ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL RUFUS SAXTON. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO COLONEL D. S. MILES. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. C. FREMONT. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. C. FREMONT. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL McDOWELL. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. W. GEARY. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ ORDER TAKING MILITARY POSSESSION OF RAILROADS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY CHASE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL R. SAXTON. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL R. SAXTON. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL R. SAXTON. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ HISTORY OF CONSPIRACY OF REBELLION ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. C. FREMONT. ]
[ TELEGRAM FROM SECRETARY STANTON TO GOVERNOR ANDREW. ]
[ TELEGRAM FROM SECRETARY STANTON TO GENERAL J. C. FREMONT, ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN ]
[ TELEGRAM FROM SECRETARY STANTON TO GENERAL FREMONT. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MARCY. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL N. P. BANKS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL FREMONT ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MARCY. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL N. P. BANKS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL FREMONT. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM FROM SECRETARY STANTON ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON. ]
[ TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL N. P. BANKS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. C. FREMONT. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON. ]
[ TO GENERAL J. C. FREMONT. WASHINGTON, June 12, 1862. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL N. P. BANKS. ]
[ SPEECH AT JERSEY CITY, JUNE 24, 1862. ]
[ TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ ORDER CONSTITUTING THE ARMY OF VIRGINIA. ]
[ TELEGRAM FROM SECRETARY STANTON TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK. ]
[ TELEGRAMS TO GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE. ]
[ WAR DEPARTMENT, June, 28, 1862 ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. A. DIX. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO FLAG-OFFICER L. M. GOLDSBOROUGH. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY SEWARD. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY SEWARD. WAR DEPARTMENT, June 30, 1862. ]
[ CALL FOR TROOPS. NEW YORK, June 30, 1862. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. A. DIX. ]
[ TELEGRAMS TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK. ]
[ WASHINGTON, D.C., June 30, 1862. ]
[ CALL FOR 300,000 VOLUNTEERS, JULY 1, 1862. ]
[ EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, July 1, 1862 ]
[ PROCLAMATION CONCERNING TAXES IN REBELLIOUS STATES, JULY 1, 1862. ]
[ MESSAGE TO CONGRESS, JULY 1, 1862. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL McCLELLAN. ]
[ TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK. ]
[ CIRCULAR LETTER TO THE GOVERNORS. ]
[ TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. A. DIX. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ MEMORANDUM OF AN INTERVIEW BETWEEN THE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL McCLELLAN ]
[ ORDER MAKING HALLECK GENERAL-IN-CHIEF. ]
[ ORDER CONCERNING THE SOUTHWEST BRANCH OF THE PACIFIC RAILROAD. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON. WAR DEPARTMENT, July 11, 1862. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK. WAR DEPARTMENT, July 11, 1862. ]
[ APPEAL TO BORDER-STATES IN FAVOR OF COMPENSATED EMANCIPATION. ]
[ TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. T. BOYLE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. T. BOYLE. ]
[ ACT OF COMPENSATED EMANCIPATION ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ MESSAGE TO CONGRESS. July 17, 1862. ]
[ MESSAGE TO CONGRESS. July 17, 1862. ]
[ FELLOW-CITIZENS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ ORDER IN REGARD TO BEHAVIOR OF ALIENS ]
[ ORDER AUTHORIZING EMPLOYMENT OF "CONTRABANDS." ]
[ WARNING TO REBEL SYMPATHIZERS ]
[ HOLD MY HAND WHILST THE ENEMY STABS ME ]
[ BROKEN EGGS CANNOT BE MENDED ]
[ SPEECH AT A WAR MEETING, WASHINGTON, AUGUST 6, 1862 ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR ANDREW. August 12, 1862. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR CURTIN. August 12, 1862. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL S. R. CURTIS. August 12, 1862. ]
[ ADDRESS ON COLONIZATION TO A DEPUTATION OF COLORED MEN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO OFFICER AT CAMP CHASE, OHIO. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BURNSIDE OR GENERAL PARKE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR YATES. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR RAMSEY. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO COLONEL HAUPT. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO COLONEL HAUPT. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO COLONEL HAUPT. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BANKS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. T. BOYLE. ]
[ ORDER TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL H. G. WRIGHT. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. T. BOYLE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. E. WOOL. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B, McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL D. C. BUELL. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TO GOVERNOR CURTIN. September 11, 1862. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR CURTIN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL C. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR CURTIN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL H. G. WRIGHT. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. T. BOYLE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ REPLY TO REQUEST THE PRESIDENT ISSUE A PROCLAMATION OF EMANCIPATION. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL H. G. WRIGHT. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO J. K. DUBOIS. WASHINGTON, D.C., ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR CURTIN, ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR MORTON. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL KETCHUM. ]
[ PRELIMINARY EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION, SEPTEMBER 22, 1862. ]
[ PROCLAMATION SUSPENDING THE WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS, ]
[ REPLY TO SERENADE, SEPTEMBER 24, 1862. ]
[ RECORD EXPLAINING THE DISMISSAL OF MAJOR JOHN J. KEY ]
[ REMARKS TO THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC AT FREDERICK, MARYLAND, ]
[ TELEGRAM FROM GENERAL HALLECK ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. T. BOYLE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. T. BOYLE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL CURTIS. ]
[ TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR PIERPOINT. ]
[ EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING A PROVISIONAL COURT IN LOUISIANA. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL JAMESON. ]
[ GENERAL McCLELLAN'S TIRED HORSES ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR CURTIN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON. ]
[ ORDER RELIEVING GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. POPE. ]
[ ORDER CONCERNING BLOCKADE. ]
[ ORDER CONCERNING THE CONFISCATION ACT. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON. ]
[ GENERAL ORDER RESPECTING THE OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH DAY ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. A. DIX. ]
[ ORDER PROHIBITING THE EXPORT OF ARMS AND MUNITIONS OF WAR. ]
[ DELAYING TACTICS OF GENERALS ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE. ]
[ TO ATTORNEY-GENERAL BATES. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL CURTIS. ]
[ ANNUAL MESSAGE TO CONGRESS, DECEMBER 1, 1862. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO H. J. RAYMOND. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON. ]
[ MESSAGE TO CONGRESS. December 8, 1862. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL CURTIS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL H. H. SIBLEY. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL CURTIS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BURNSIDE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL CURTIS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BURNSIDE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR GAMBLE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL CURTIS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE. ]
[ TO SECRETARIES SEWARD AND CHASE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR ANDREW. ]
[ CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL CURTIS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR GAMBLE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO H. J. RAYMOND. ]
[ EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION, JANUARY 1, 1863. ]
[ TO CALEB RUSSELL AND SALLIE A. FENTON. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL ROSECRANS. ]
[ CORRESPONDENCE WITH GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE, JANUARY 8, 1863. ]
[ HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, WASHINGTON, January 7, 1863. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL S. R. CURTIS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON. ]
[ INSTRUCTION TO THE JUDGE-ADVOCATE-GENERAL. ]
[ MESSAGE TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. JANUARY 14, 1863. ]
[ TO THE WORKING-MEN OF MANCHESTER, ENGLAND. ]
[ FITZ-JOHN PORTER COURT-MARTIAL. ]
[ FROM GENERAL HALLECK TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BURNSIDE. ]
[ ORDER RELIEVING GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE AND MAKING OTHER CHANGES. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BUTLER ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL SCHENCK. ]
[ TO THE WORKING-MEN OF LONDON, ENGLAND. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL SCHENCK. [Cipher.] WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO SIMON CAMERON. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HOOKER ]
[ PROCLAMATION CONVENING THE SENATE, FEBRUARY 28, 1863 ]
[ PROCLAMATION RECALLING SOLDIERS TO THEIR REGIMENTS, MARCH 10, 1863 ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HOOKER. ]
[ GRANT'S EXCLUSION OF A NEWSPAPER REPORTER ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL ROSECRANS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL S. A. HURLBUT. ]
[ QUESTION OF RAISING NEGRO TROOPS ]
[ PROCLAMATION APPOINTING A NATIONAL FAST-DAY. ]
[ LICENSE OF COMMERCIAL INTERCOURSE. ]
[ PROCLAMATION ABOUT COMMERCIAL INTERCOURSE, APRIL 2, 1863 ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HOOKER. ]
[ OPINION ON HARBOR DEFENSE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO OFFICER IN COMMAND AT NASHVILLE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HOOKER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO ADMIRAL S. P. DUPONT. ]
[ TO GENERAL D. HUNTER AND ADMIRAL S. F. DUPONT. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL S. HOOKER. ]
[ ON COLONIZATION ARRANGEMENTS ]
[ STATEHOOD FOR WEST VIRGINIA, APRIL 20, 1863. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. HOOKER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR CURTIN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR CURTIN, ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR CURTIN ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL D. BUTTERFIELD. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. HOOKER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BURNSIDE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HOOKER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HOOKER ]
[ TELEGRAM TO COLONEL R. INGALLS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. HOOKER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. A. DIX. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BUTTERFIELD. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR SEYMOUR ]
[ TELEGRAM TO JAMES GUTHRIE. ]
[ ORDERS SENDING C. L. VALLANDIGHAM BEYOND MILITARY LINES. ]
[ WAR DEPARTMENT, May 20, 1863. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL S. A. HURLBUT. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO COLONEL HAGGARD. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BURNSIDE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL SCHENCK. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR BUCKINGHAM. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HOOKER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON. ]
[ TO J. K. DUBOIS AND OTHERS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO COLONEL LUDLOW. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HOOKER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U.S. GRANT. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO MAJOR-GENERAL HOOKER. [Cipher.] EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BUTTERFIELD. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HOOKER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO MRS. GRIMSLEY. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HOOKER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HOOKER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HOOKER. ]
[ TO ERASTUS CORNING AND OTHERS. ]
[ TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL TYLER. ]
[ RESPONSE TO A "BESIEGED" GENERAL ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL KELLEY. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HOOKER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL R. C. SCHENCK. ]
[ NEEDS NEW TIRES ON HIS CARRIAGE ]
[ CALL FOR 100,000 MILITIA TO SERVE FOR SIX MONTHS, JUNE 15, 1863. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO P. KAPP AND OTHERS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEAGHER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO COLONEL BLISS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HOOKER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HOOKER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL DINGMAN. ]
[ TO B. B. MALHIOT AND OTHERS. ]
[ TO GENERAL J. M. SCHOFIELD. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. HOOKER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO MAJOR VAN VLIET. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL COUCH. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL SLOCUM. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HOOKER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BURNSIDE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR BOYLE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL SCHENCK. ]
[ FURTHER DEMOCRATIC PARTY CRITICISM ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR PARKER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO A. K. McCLURE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL COUCH. [Cipher] WASHINGTON CITY, June 30, 1863. 3.23 ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL BURNSIDE. ]
[ ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEWS FROM GETTYSBURG. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL FRENCH. [Cipher] WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., ]
[ CONTINUED FAILURE TO PURSUE ENEMY ]
[ SURRENDER OF VICKSBURG TO GENERAL GRANT ]
[ TELEGRAM FROM GENERAL HALLECK TO GENERAL G. C. MEADE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL THOMAS. ]
[ NEWS OF GRANT'S CAPTURE OF VICKSBURG ]
[ TELEGRAM TO L. SWETT AND P. F. LOWE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL SCHENCK. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. M. SCHOFIELD. ]
[ SON IN COLLEGE DOES NOT WRITE HIS PARENTS ]
[ INTIMATION OF ARMISTICE PROPOSALS ]
[ PROCLAMATION FOR THANKSGIVING, JULY 15, 1863 ]
[ TELEGRAM TO SIMON CAMERON. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO J. O. BROADHEAD. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR MORTON. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. M. SCHOFIELD ]
[ TO POSTMASTER-GENERAL BLAIR ]
[ LETTER TO GOVERNOR PARKER. ]
[ To GENERAL G. G. MEADE. (Private.) ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL A. B. BURNSIDE. ]
[ TELEGRAM FROM GOVERNOR SEYMOUR. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR SEYMOUR ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL FOSTER. ]
[ TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. ]
[ TO GENERAL J. A. McCLERNAND. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR SEYMOUR. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL SCHOFIELD. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO MRS. GRIMSLEY. ]
[ TO CRITICS OF EMANCIPATION ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. M. SCHOFIELD. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. G. MEADE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO F. C. SHERMAN AND J. S. HAYES. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL FOSTER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL CRAWFORD. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO J. C. CONKLING. ]
[ TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. ]
[ POLITICAL MOTIVATED MISQUOTATION IN NEWSPAPER ]
[ ORDER CONCERNING COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY STANTON. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO F. C. SHERMAN AND J. S. HAYES. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL WHEATON. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE. ]
[ PROCLAMATION SUSPENDING WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS, SEPTEMBER 15, 1863. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL SCHENCK. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE. ]
[ REQUEST TO SUGGEST NAME FOR A BABY ]
[ TELEGRAM TO MRS. ARMSTRONG. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO O. M. HATCH AND J. K. DUBOIS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. ]
[ PROCLAMATION OPENING THE PORT OF ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. ]
[ MRS. LINCOLN'S REBEL BROTHER-IN-LAW KILLED ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL McCALLUM. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE. ]
[ TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL SCHOFIELD. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO F. S. CORKRAN. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL S. M. SCHOFIELD. ]
[ PROCLAMATION FOR THANKSGIVING, OCTOBER 3, 1863. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. M. SCHOFIELD. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. ]
[ TO C. D. DRAKE AND OTHERS. ]
[ THE CASE OF DR. DAVID M. WRIGHT ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO W. S. ROSECRANS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. G. MEADE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO WAYNE McVEIGH. ]
[ AID TO MRS. HELM, MRS. LINCOLN'S SISTER ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL FOSTER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MEADE. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO T. W. SWEENEY. ]
[ CALL FOR 300,000 VOLUNTEERS, OCTOBER 17, 1863. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL FOSTER. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO J. WILLIAMS AND N. G. TAYLOR. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. ]
[ TELEGRAM TO GENERAL R. C. SCHENCK. ]
THE WRITINGS OF A. LINCOLN,
Volume Six, 1862-1863
1862
RECOMMENDATION OF NAVAL OFFICERS
MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 14, 1862.
TO SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
The third section of the "Act further to promote the efficiency of the Navy," approved 21st of December, 1861, provides:
"That the President of the United States by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall have the authority to detail from the retired list of the navy for the command of squadrons and single ships such officers as he may believe that the good of the service requires to be thus placed in command; and such officers may, if upon the recommendation of the President of the United States they shall receive a vote of thanks of Congress for their services and gallantry in action against an enemy, be restored to the active list, and not otherwise."
In conformity with this law, Captain David G. Farragut was nominated to the Senate for continuance as the flag-officer in command of the squadron which recently rendered such important service to the Union by his successful operations on the lower Mississippi and capture of New Orleans.
Believing that no occasion could arise which would more fully correspond with the intention of the law or be more pregnant with happy influence as an example, I cordially recommend that Captain D. G. Farragut receive a vote of thanks of Congress for his services and gallantry displayed in the capture since 21st December, 1861, of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, city of New Orleans, and the destruction of various rebel gunboats, rams, etc.....
TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
I submit herewith a list of naval officers who commanded vessels engaged in the recent brilliant operations of the squadron commanded by Flag-officer Farragut which led to the capture of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, city of New Orleans, and the destruction of rebel gunboats, rams, etc., in April 1862. For their services and gallantry on those occasions I cordially recommend that they should, by name, receive a vote of thanks of Congress:
LIST:
Captain Theodorus Bailey.
Captain Henry W. Morris.
Captain Thomas T. Craven.
Commander Henry H. Bell.
Commander Samuel Phillips Lee.
Commander Samuel Swartwout.
Commander Melancton Smith.
Commander Charles Stewart Boggs
Commander John De Camp
Commander James Alden.
Commander David D. Porter.
Commander Richard Wainwright.
Commander William B. Renshaw.
Lieutenant Commanding Abram D. Harrell.
Lieutenant Commanding Edward Donaldson.
Lieutenant Commanding George H. Preble.
Lieutenant Commanding Edward T. Nichols.
Lieutenant Commanding Jonathan M. Wainwright.
Lieutenant Commanding John Guest.
Lieutenant Commanding Charles H. B. Caldwell.
Lieutenant Commanding Napoleon B. Harrison.
Lieutenant Commanding Albert N. Smith.
Lieutenant Commanding Pierce Crosby.
Lieutenant Commanding George M. Ransom.
Lieutenant Commanding Watson Smith.
Lieutenant Commanding John H. Russell.
Lieutenant Commanding Walter W. Queen.
Lieutenant Commanding K. Randolph Breese.
Acting Lieutenant Commanding Sellin E. Woolworth.
Acting Lieutenant Commanding Charles H. Baldwin.
A. LINCOLN.
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 14, 1862
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN.
WASHINGTON CITY, May 15, 1862.
MAJOR-GENERAL McCLELLAN, Cumberland, Virginia:
Your long despatch of yesterday is just received. I will answer more fully soon. Will say now that all your despatches to the Secretary of War have been promptly shown to me. Have done and shall do all I could and can to sustain you. Hoped that the opening of James River and putting Wool and Burnside in communication, with an open road to Richmond, or to you, had effected something in that direction. I am still unwilling to take all our force off the direct line between Richmond and here.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
SPEECH TO THE 12TH INDIANA REGIMENT, MAY [15?] 1862
SOLDIERS, OF THE TWELFTH INDIANA REGIMENT:
It has not been customary heretofore, nor will it be hereafter, for me to say something to every regiment passing in review. It occurs too frequently for me to have speeches ready on all occasions. As you have paid such a mark of respect to the chief magistrate, it appears that I should say a word or two in reply. Your colonel has thought fit, on his own account and in your name, to say that you are satisfied with the manner in which I have performed my part in the difficulties which have surrounded the nation. For your kind expressions I am extremely grateful, but on the other hand I assure you that the nation is more indebted to you, and such as you, than to me. It is upon the brave hearts and strong arms of the people of the country that our reliance has been placed in support of free government and free institutions.
For the part which you and the brave army of which you are a part have, under Providence, performed in this great struggle, I tender more thanks especially to this regiment, which has been the subject of good report. The thanks of the nation will follow you, and may God's blessing rest upon you now and forever. I hope that upon your return to your homes you will find your friends and loved ones well and happy. I bid you farewell.
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL.
WASHINGTON, May 16, 1862.
MAJOR-GENERAL McDOWELL:
What is the strength of your force now actually with you?
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
MEMORANDUM OF PROPOSED ADDITIONS TO INSTRUCTIONS OF ABOVE DATE
TO GENERAL McDOWELL, AND GENERAL MEIGS'S INDORSEMENT THEREON.
May 17, 1862. You will retain the separate command of the forces taken with you; but while co-operating with General McClellan you will obey his orders, except that you are to judge, and are not to allow your force to be disposed otherwise than so as to give the greatest protection to this capital which may be possible from that distance.
[Indorsement.]
TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
The President having shown this to me, I suggested that it is dangerous to direct a subordinate not to obey the orders of his superior in any case, and that to give instructions to General McClellan to this same end and furnish General McDowell with a copy thereof would effect the object desired by the President. He desired me to say that the sketch of instructions to General McClellan herewith he thought made this addition unnecessary.
Respectfully, M. C. M.
MILITARY EMANCIPATION
INDORSEMENT RELATING TO GENERAL DAVID HUNTER'S ORDER OF MILITARY EMANCIPATION,
MAY 17, 1862
No commanding general shall do such a thing upon my responsibility without consulting me.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
FROM SECRETARY STANTON TO GENERAL McCLELLAN.
WASHINGTON, May 18, 1862.
GENERAL: Your despatch to the President, asking reinforcements, has been received and carefully considered.
The President is not willing to uncover the capital entirely; and it is believed that, even if this were prudent, it would require more time to effect a junction between your army and that of the Rappahannock by the way of the Potomac and York rivers than by a land march. In order, therefore, to increase the strength of the attack upon Richmond at the earliest moment, General McDowell has been ordered to march upon that city by the shortest route. He is ordered, keeping himself always in position to save the capital from all possible attack, so to operate as to put his left wing in communication with your right wing, and you are instructed to co-operate so as to establish this communication as soon as possible by extending your right-wing to the north of Richmond.
It is believed that this communication can be safely established either north or south of the Pamunkey River.
In any event, you will be able to prevent the main body of the enemy's forces from leaving Richmond and falling in overwhelming force upon General McDowell. He will move with between thirty-five and forty thousand men.
A copy of the instructions to General McDowell are with this. The specific task assigned to his command has been to provide against any danger to the capital of the nation.
At your earnest call for reinforcements, he is sent forward to co-operate in the reduction of Richmond, but charged, in attempting this, not to uncover the city of Washington; and you will give no order, either before or after your junction, which can put him out of position to cover this city. You and he will communicate with each other by telegraph or otherwise as frequently as may be necessary for efficient cooperation. When General McDowell is in position on your right, his supplies must be drawn from West Point, and you will instruct your staff-officers to be prepared to supply him by that route.
The President desires that General McDowell retain the command of the Department of the Rappahannock and of the forces with which he moves forward.
By order of the President: EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE B. McCLELLAN, Commanding Army of the Potomac, before Richmond.
PROCLAMATION REVOKING GENERAL HUNTER'S ORDER OF MILITARY EMANCIPATION,
MAY 19, 1862.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
A Proclamation
Whereas there appears in the public prints what purports to be a proclamation of Major general Hunter, in the words and figures following, to wit:
(General Orders No. 11) HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH, HILTON HEAD, PORT ROYAL, S. C., May 9, 1862.
"The three States of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, comprising the military department of the South, having deliberately declared themselves no longer under the protection of the United States of America, and having taken up arms against the said United States, it became a military necessity to declare martial law. This was accordingly done on the 25th day of April, 1862. Slavery and martial law in a free country are altogether incompatible. The persons in these three States: Georgia Florida, and South Carolina—heretofore held as slaves are therefore declared forever free.
"By command of Major-General D. Hunter: "(Official.)ED. W. SMITH, "Acting Assistant Adjutant-General."
And whereas the same is producing some excitement and misunderstanding: therefore,
I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, proclaim and declare that the Government of the United States, had no knowledge, information, or belief of an intention on the part of General Hunter to issue such a proclamation; nor has it yet any authentic information that the document is genuine. And further, that neither General Hunter nor any other commander or person has been authorized by the Government of the United States to make a proclamation declaring the slaves of any State free; and that the supposed proclamation now in question, whether genuine or false, is altogether void so far as respects such a declaration.
I further make known that whether it be competent for me, as commander-in-chief of the army and navy, to declare the slaves of any State or States free, and whether, at any time, in any case, it shall have become a necessity indispensable to the maintenance of the government to exercise such supposed power, are questions which under my responsibility I reserve to myself, and which I cannot feel justified in leaving to the decision of commanders in the field.
These are totally different questions from those of police regulations in armies and camps.
On the sixth day of March last, by special message, I recommended to Congress the adoption of a joint resolution, to be substantially as follows:
Resolved, That the United States ought to co-operate with any State which may adopt gradual abolishment of slavery, giving to such State pecuniary aid, to be used by such State, in its discretion, to compensate for the inconvenience, public and private, produced by such change of system.
The resolution in the language above quoted was adopted by large majorities in both branches of Congress, and now stands an authentic, definite, and solemn proposal of the nation to the States and people most immediately interested in the subject-matter. To the people of those States I now earnestly appeal. I do not argue—I beseech you to make arguments for yourselves. You cannot, if you would, be blind to the signs of the times. I beg of you a calm and enlarged consideration of them, ranging, if it may be, far above personal and partisan politics. This proposal makes common cause for a common object, casting no reproaches upon any. It acts not the Pharisee. The change it contemplates would come gently as the dews of heaven, not rending or wrecking anything. Will you not embrace it? So much good has not been done, by one effort, in all past time, as in the providence of God it is now your high privilege to do. May the vast future not have to lament that you have neglected it.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this nineteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-sixth.
A. LINCOLN.
By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. E. McCLELLAN.
WASHINGTON, May 21, 1862.
MAJOR-GENERAL McCLELLAN:
I have just been waited on by a large committee who present a petition signed by twenty-three senators and eighty-four representatives asking me to restore General Hamilton to his division. I wish to do this, and yet I do not wish to be understood as rebuking you. Please answer at once.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN.
WASHINGTON CITY, May 22, 1862.
MAJOR-GENERAL McCLELLAN:
Your long despatch of yesterday just received. You will have just such control of General McDowell and his forces as you therein indicate. McDowell can reach you by land sooner than he could get aboard of boats, if the boats were ready at Fredericksburg, unless his march shall be resisted, in which case the force resisting him will certainly not be confronting you at Richmond. By land he can reach you in five days after starting, whereas by water he would not reach you in two weeks, judging by past experience. Franklin's single division did not reach you in ten days after I ordered it.
A. LINCOLN,
President United States.
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL McCLELLAN.
WASHINGTON, May 24, 1862. 4 PM.
MAJOR-GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN:
In consequence of General Banks's critical position, I have been compelled to suspend General McDowell's movements to join you. The enemy are making a desperate push upon Harper's Ferry, and we are trying to throw General Fremont's force and part of General McDowell's in their rear.
A. LINCOLN, President.
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL McCLELLAN
WASHINGTON May 24, 1862.
MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE B. McCLELLAN:
I left General McDowell's camp at dark last evening. Shields's command is there, but it is so worn that he cannot move before Monday morning, the 26th. We have so thinned our line to get troops for other places that it was broken yesterday at Front Royal, with a probable loss to us of one regiment infantry, two Companies cavalry, putting General Banks in some peril.
The enemy's forces under General Anderson now opposing General McDowell's advance have as their line of supply and retreat the road to Richmond.
If, in conjunction with McDowell's movement against Anderson, you could send a force from your right to cut off the enemy's supplies from Richmond, preserve the railroad bridges across the two forks of the Pamunkey, and intercept the enemy's retreat, you will prevent the army now opposed to you from receiving an accession of numbers of nearly 15,000 men; and if you succeed in saving the bridges you will secure a line of railroad for supplies in addition to the one you now have. Can you not do this almost as well as not while you are building the Chickahominy bridges? McDowell and Shields both say they can, and positively will, move Monday morning. I wish you to move cautiously and safely.
You will have command of McDowell, after he joins you, precisely as you indicated in your long despatch to us of the 21st.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL RUFUS SAXTON.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May, 24 1862. 2 P.M.
GENERAL SAXTON:
Geary reports Jackson with 20,000 moving from Ashby's Gap by the Little River turnpike, through Aldie, toward Centreville. This he says is reliable. He is also informed of large forces south of him. We know a force of some 15,000 broke up Saturday night from in front of Fredericksburg and went we know not where. Please inform us, if possible, what has become of the force which pursued Banks yesterday; also any other information you have.
A. LINCOLN [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO COLONEL D. S. MILES.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 24, 1862. 1.30 P.M.
COLONEL MILES, Harper's Ferry, Virginia
Could you not send scouts from Winchester who would tell whether enemy are north of Banks, moving on Winchester? What is the latest you have?
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. C. FREMONT.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 24, 1862. 4 P.M.
MAJOR-GENERAL FREMONT, Franklin:
You are authorized to purchase the 400 horses, or take them wherever or however you can get them. The exposed condition of General Banks makes his immediate relief a point of paramount importance. You are therefore directed by the President to move against Jackson at Harrisonburg and operate against the enemy in such way as to relieve Banks. This movement must be made immediately. You will acknowledge the receipt of this order, and specify the hour it is received by you.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. C. FREMONT.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 24, 1862. 7.15 P.M.
MAJOR-GENERAL FREMONT, Franklin, Virginia:
Many thanks for the promptness with which you have answered that you will execute the order. Much—perhaps all—depends upon the celerity with which you can execute it. Put the utmost speed into it. Do not lose a minute.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 24, 1862.
MAJOR-GENERAL HALLECK, near Corinth, Mississippi:
Several despatches from Assistant Secretary Scott and one from Governor Morton asking reinforcements for you have been received. I beg you to be assured we do the best we can. I mean to cast no blame where I tell you each of our commanders along our line from Richmond to Corinth supposes himself to be confronted by numbers superior to his own. Under this pressure We thinned the line on the upper Potomac, until yesterday it was broken with heavy loss to us, and General Banks put in great peril, out of which he is not yet extricated, and may be actually captured. We need men to repair this breach, and have them not at hand. My dear General, I feel justified to rely very much on you. I believe you and the brave officers and men with you can and will get the victory at Corinth.
A. LINCOLN.
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 24, 1862.
MAJOR-GENERAL McDOWELL, Fredricksburg:
General Fremont has been ordered by telegraph to move from Franklin on Harrisonburg to relieve General Banks, and capture or destroy Jackson's and Ewell's forces. You are instructed, laying aside for the present the movement on Richmond, to put 20,000 men in motion at once for the Shenandoah, moving on the line or in advance of the line of the Manassas Gap railroad. Your object will be to capture the forces of Jackson and Ewell, either in co-operation with General Fremont, or, in case want of supplies or of transportation, interferes with his movements, it is believed that the force which you move will be sufficient to accomplish this object alone. The information thus far received here makes it probable that if the enemy operate actively against General Banks, you will not be able to count upon much assistance from him, but may even have to release him. Reports received this moment are that Banks is fighting with Ewell eight miles from Winchester.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL McDOWELL.
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, D.C., May 24, 1862
MAJOR-GENERAL I. McDOWELL:
I am highly gratified by your alacrity in obeying my order. The change was as painful to me as it can possibly be to you or to any one. Everything now depends upon the celerity and vigor of your movement.
A. LINCOLN [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. W. GEARY.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 25, 1862 1.45 P.M.
GENERAL GEARY, White Plains:
Please give us your best present impression as to the number of the enemy's forces north of Strasburg and Front Royal. Are the forces still moving north through the gap at Front Royal and between you and there?
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN.
WASHINGTON, May 25, 1862. 2 P.M.
MAJOR-GENERAL McCLELLAN:
The enemy is moving north in sufficient force to drive General Banks before him—precisely in what force we cannot tell. He is also threatening Leesburg and Geary, on the Manassas Gap railroad, from both north and south—in precisely what force we cannot tell. I think the movement is a general and concerted one, such as would not be if he was acting upon the purpose of a very desperate defense of Richmond. I think the time is near when you must either attack Richmond or give up the job and come to the defense of Washington. Let me hear from you instantly.
A. LINCOLN, President.
ORDER TAKING MILITARY POSSESSION OF RAILROADS.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 25, 1862.
Ordered: By virtue of the authority vested by act of Congress, the President takes military possession of all the railroads in the United States from and after this date until further order, and directs that the respective railroad companies, their officers and servants, shall hold themselves in readiness for the transportation of such troops and munitions of war as may be ordered by the military authorities, to the exclusion of all other business.
By order of the Secretary of War.
M. C. MEIGS [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY CHASE.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 25, 1862.
SECRETARY CHASE, Fredericksburg, Virginia:
It now appears that Banks got safely into Winchester last night, and is this morning retreating on Harper's Ferry. This justifies the inference that he is pressed by numbers superior to his own. I think it not improbable that Ewell, Jackson, and Johnson are pouring through the gap they made day before yesterday at Front Royal, making a dash northward. It will be a very valuable and very honorable service for General McDowell to cut them off. I hope he will put all possible energy and speed into the effort.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL R. SAXTON.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 25, 1862.
GENERAL SAXTON, Harper's Ferry:
If Banks reaches Martinsburg, is he any the better for it? Will not the enemy cut him from thence to Harper's Ferry? Have you sent anything to meet him and assist him at Martinsburg? This is an inquiry, not an order.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL R. SAXTON.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 25, 1862. 6.30 P.M.
GENERAL SAXTON, Harper's Ferry:
One good six-gun battery, complete in its men and appointments, is now on its way to you from Baltimore. Eleven other guns, of different sorts, are on their way to you from here. Hope they will all reach you before morning. As you have but 2500 men at Harper's Ferry, where are the rest which were in that vicinity and which we have sent forward? Have any of them been cut off?
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL R. SAXTON.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 25, 1862.
GENERAL SAXTON, Harper's Ferry:
I fear you have mistaken me. I did not mean to question the correctness of your conduct; on the contrary! I approve what you have done. As the 2500 reported by you seemed small to me, I feared some had got to Banks and been cut off with him. Please tell me the exact number you now have in hand.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN.
[Sent in cipher.]
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, D. C., May 25,1862. 8.30 P.M.
MAJOR-GENERAL McCLELLAN:
Your despatch received. General Banks was at Strasburg, with about 6,000 men, Shields having been taken from him to swell a column for McDowell to aid you at Richmond, and the rest of his force scattered at various places. On the 23d a rebel force of 7000 to 10,000 fell upon one regiment and two companies guarding the bridge at Front Royal, destroying it entirely; crossed the Shenandoah, and on the 24th (yesterday) pushed to get north of Banks, on the road to Winchester. Banks ran a race with them, beating them into Winchester yesterday evening. This morning a battle ensued between the two forces, in which Banks was beaten back into full retreat toward Martinsburg, and probably is broken up into a total rout. Geary, on the Manassas Gap railroad, just now reports that Jackson is now near Front Royal, With 10,000, following up and supporting, as I understand, the forces now pursuing Banks, also that another force of 10,000 is near Orleans, following on in the same direction. Stripped here, as we are here, it will be all we can do to prevent them crossing the Potomac at Harper's Ferry or above. We have about 20,000 of McDowell's force moving back to the vicinity of Front Royal, and General Fremont, who was at Franklin, is moving to Harrisonburg; both these movements intended to get in the enemy's rear.
One more of McDowell's brigades is ordered through here to Harper's Ferry; the rest of his force remains for the present at Fredericksburg. We are sending such regiments and dribs from here and Baltimore as we can spare to Harper's Ferry, supplying their places in some sort by calling in militia from the adjacent States. We also have eighteen cannon on the road to Harper's Ferry, of which arm there is not a single one yet at that point. This is now our situation.
If McDowell's force was now beyond our reach, we should be utterly helpless. Apprehension of something like this, and no unwillingness to sustain you, has always been my reason for withholding McDowell's force from you. Please understand this, and do the best you can with the force you have.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
HISTORY OF CONSPIRACY OF REBELLION
MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.
MAY 16, 1862 TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
The insurrection which is yet existing in the United States and aims at the overthrow of the Federal Constitution and the Union, was clandestinely prepared during the Winter of 1860 and 1861, and assumed an open organization in the form of a treasonable provisional government at Montgomery, in Alabama on the 18th day of February, 1861. On the 12th day of April, 1861, the insurgents committed the flagrant act of civil war by the bombardment and the capture of Fort Sumter, Which cut off the hope of immediate conciliation. Immediately afterward all the roads and avenues to this city were obstructed, and the capital was put into the condition of a siege. The mails in every direction were stopped and the lines of telegraph cut off by the insurgents, and military and naval forces which had been called out by the government for the defense of Washington were prevented from reaching the city by organized and combined treasonable resistance in the State of Maryland. There was no adequate and effective organization for the public defense. Congress had indefinitely adjourned. There was no time to convene them. It became necessary for me to choose whether, using only the existing means, agencies, and processes which Congress had provided, I should let the government fall at once into ruin or whether, availing myself of the broader powers conferred by the Constitution in cases of insurrection, I would make an effort to save it, with all its blessings, for the present age and for posterity.
I thereupon summoned my constitutional advisers, the heads of all the departments, to meet on Sunday, the 20th day of April, 1861, at the office of the Navy Department, and then and there, with their unanimous concurrence, I directed that an armed revenue cutter should proceed to sea to afford protection to the commercial marine, and especially the California treasure ships then on their way to this coast. I also directed the commandant of the navy-yard at Boston to purchase or charter and arm as quickly as possible five steamships for purposes of public defense. I directed the commandant of the navy-yard at Philadelphia to purchase or charter and arm an equal number for the same purpose. I directed the commandant at New York to purchase or charter and arm an equal number. I directed Commander Gillis to purchase or charter and arm and put to sea two other vessels. Similar directions were given to Commodore Dupont, with a view to the opening of passages by water to and from the capital. I directed the several officers to take the advice and obtain the aid and efficient services, in the matter, of his Excellency Edwin D. Morgan, the Governor of New York, or in his absence George D. Morgan, William M. Evarts, R. M. Blatchford, and Moses H. Grinnell, who were by my directions especially empowered by the Secretary of the Navy to act for his department in that crisis in matters pertaining to the forwarding of troops and supplies for the public defense.
The several departments of the government at that time contained so large a number of disloyal persons that it would have been impossible to provide safely through official agents only for the performance of the duties thus confided to citizens favorably known for their ability, loyalty, and patriotism.
The several orders issued upon these occurrences were transmitted by private messengers, who pursued a circuitous way to the seaboard cities, inland across the States of Pennsylvania and Ohio and the northern lakes. I believe by these and other similar measures taken in that crisis, some of which were without any authority of law, the government was saved from overthrow. I am not aware that a dollar of the public funds thus confided without authority of law to unofficial persons was either lost or wasted, although apprehensions of such misdirection occurred to me as objections to those extraordinary proceedings, and were necessarily overruled.
I recall these transactions now because my attention has been directed to a resolution which was passed by the House of Representatives on the 30th day of last month, which is in these words:
"Resolved, That Simon Cameron, late Secretary of War by investing Alexander Cummings with the control of large sums of the public money and authority to purchase military supplies without restriction, without requiring from him any guaranty for the faithful performance of his duties, when the services of competent public officers were available, and by involving the government in a vast number of contracts with persons not legitimately engaged in the business pertaining to the subject-matter of such contracts, especially in the purchase of arms for future delivery, has adopted a policy highly injurious to the public service, and deserves the censure of the House."
Congress will see that I should be wanting equally in candor and in justice if I should leave the censure expressed in this resolution to rest exclusively or chiefly upon Mr. Cameron. The same sentiment is unanimously entertained by the heads of department who participated in the proceedings which the House of Representatives have censured. It is due to Mr. Cameron to say that although he fully approved the proceedings they were not moved nor suggested by himself, and that not only the President, but all the other heads of departments, were at least equally responsible with him for whatever error, wrong, or fault was committed in the premises.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN.
WASHINGTON, May 26, 1862. 12.40
MAJOR-GENERAL McCLELLAN:
We have General Banks's official report. He has saved his army and baggage, and has made a safe retreat to the river, and is probably safe at Williamsport. He reports the attacking force at 15,000.
A. LINCOLN, President.
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 26, 1862. 1 P.M.
MAJOR-GENERAL McDOWELL, Falmouth, Virginia:
Despatches from Geary just received have been sent you. Should not the remainder of your forces, except sufficient to hold the point at Fredericksburg, move this way—to Manassas Junction or Alexandria? As commander of this department, should you not be here? I ask these questions.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL McCLELLAN.
WASHINGTON, May 26, 1862.
MAJOR-GENERAL GEORGE B. McCLELLAN:
Can you not cut the Alula Creek railroad? Also, what impression have you as to intrenched works for you to contend with in front of Richmond? Can you get near enough to throw shells into the city?
A. LINCOLN, President.
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. C. FREMONT.
May 27.1862. 9.58 P.M.
MAJOR-GENERAL FREMONT:
I see that you are at Moorefield. You were expressly ordered to march to Harrisonburg. What does this mean?
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM FROM SECRETARY STANTON TO GOVERNOR ANDREW.
WASHINGTON, May 27, 1862.
GOVERNOR ANDREW, Boston:
The President directs that the militia be relieved, and the enlistments made for three years, or during the war. This, I think, will practically not be longer than for a year. The latest intelligence from General Banks states that he has saved nearly his whole command with small loss.
Concentrations of our force have been made, which it is hoped will capture the enemy.
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
TELEGRAM FROM SECRETARY STANTON TO GENERAL J. C. FREMONT,
WASHINGTON, May 28, 1862
MAJOR-GENERAL FREMONT, Moorefield
The President directs you to halt at Moorefield and await orders, unless you hear of the enemy being in the general direction of Rodney, in which case you will move upon him. Acknowledge the receipt of this order, and the hour it is received.
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL.
WASHINGTON, May 28, 1862.
GENERAL McDOWELL, Manassas Junction:
General McClellan at 6.30 P.M. yesterday telegraphed that Fitz-John Porter's division had fought and driven 13,000 of the enemy, under General Branch, from Hanover Court-House, and was driving them from a stand they had made on the railroad at the time the messenger left. Two hours later he telegraphed that Stoneman had captured an engine and six cars on the Virginia Central, which he at once sent to communicate with Porter. Nothing further from McClellan.
If Porter effects a lodgment on both railroads near Hanover Court-House, consider whether your forces in front of Fredericksburg should not push through and join him.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN.
WASHINGTON, May 28, 1862.
MAJOR-GENERAL McCLELLAN:
What of F.J. Porter's expedition? Please answer.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL.
WASHINGTON. May 28, 1862. 4 P.M.
GENERAL McDOWELL, Manassas Junction:
You say General Geary's scouts report that they find no enemy this side of the Blue Ridge. Neither do I. Have they been to the Blue Ridge looking for them.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL.
WASHINGTON, May 28, 1862. 5.40 P.M.
GENERAL McDOWELL, Manassas Junction:
I think the evidence now preponderates that Ewell and Jackson are still about Winchester. Assuming this, it is for you a question of legs. Put in all the speed you can. I have told Fremont as much, and directed him to drive at them as fast as possible. By the way, I suppose you know Fremont has got up to Moorefield, instead of going into Harrisonburg.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN
WASHINGTON May 28, 1862. 8.40 P.M.
MAJOR-GENERAL McCLELLAN:
I am very glad of General F. J. Porter's victory. Still, if it was a total rout of the enemy, I am puzzled to know why the Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad was not seized again, as you say you have all the railroads but the Richmond and Fredericksburg. I am puzzled to see how, lacking that, you can have any, except the scrap from Richmond to West Point. The scrap of the Virginia Central from Richmond to Hanover Junction, without more, is simply nothing. That the whole of the enemy is concentrating on Richmond, I think cannot be certainly known to you or me. Saxton, at Harper's Ferry informs us that large forces, supposed to be Jackson's and Ewells, forced his advance from Charlestown today. General King telegraphs us from Fredericksburg that contrabands give certain information that 15,000 left Hanover Junction Monday morning to reinforce Jackson. I am painfully impressed with the importance of the struggle before you, and shall aid you all I can consistently with my view of due regard to all points.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM FROM SECRETARY STANTON TO GENERAL FREMONT.
WASHINGTON, May 28, 1862.
MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN C. FREMONT, Moorefield:
The order to remain at Moorefield was based on the supposition that it would find you there.
Upon subsequent information that the enemy were still operating in the vicinity of Winchester and Martinsburg, you were directed to move against the enemy.
The President now again directs you to move against the enemy without delay. Please acknowledge the receipt of this, and the time received.
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MARCY.
WASHINGTON, May 29, 1862. 10 A.M.
GENERAL R. B. MARCY, McClellan's Headquarters:
Yours just received. I think it cannot be certainly known whether the force which fought General Porter is the same which recently confronted McDowell. Another item of evidence bearing on it is that General Branch commanded against Porter, while it was General Anderson who was in front of McDowell. He and McDowell were in correspondence about prisoners.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN.
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, D. C., May 29, 1862. 10.30 A.M.
MAJOR-GENERAL McCLELLAN:
I think we shall be able within three days to tell you certainly whether any considerable force of the enemy—Jackson or any one else—is moving on to Harper's Ferry or vicinity. Take this expected development into your calculations.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL N. P. BANKS.
WASHINGTON, May 29, 1862.
MAJOR-GENERAL BANKS, Williamsport, Maryland:
General McDowell's advance should, and probably will, be at or near Front Royal at twelve (noon) tomorrow. General Fremont will be at or near Strasburg as soon. Please watch the enemy closely, and follow and harass and detain him if he attempts to retire. I mean this for General Saxton's force as well as that immediately with you.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL FREMONT
WASHINGTON, May 29, 1862. 12 M.
MAJOR-GENERAL FREMONT, Moorefield, Virginia:
General McDowell's advance, if not checked by the enemy, should, and probably will, be at Front Royal by twelve (noon) to-morrow. His force, when up, will be about 20,000. Please have your force at Strasburg, or, if the route you are moving on does not lead to that point, as near Strasburg as the enemy may be by the same time. Your despatch No.30 received and satisfactory.
A. LINCOLN. [ [!-- H2 anchor --] ]
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL.
WASHINGTON, May 29, 1862.
MAJOR-GENERAL McDOWELL, Manassas Junction:
General Fremont's force should, and probably will, be at or near Strasburg by twelve (noon) tomorrow. Try to have your force, or the advance of it, at Front Royal as soon.