If，inconjunctionwithMcDowell’smovementagainstAnderson，youcouldsendaforcefromyourrighttocutofftheenemy’ssuppliesfromRichmond，preservetherailroadbridgesacrossthetwoforksofthePamunkey，andintercepttheenemy’sretreat，youwillpreventthearmynowopposedtoyoufromreceivinganaccessionofnumbersofnearly15，000men；andifyousucceedinsavingthebridgesyouwillsecurealineofrailroadforsuppliesinadditiontotheoneyounowhave。CanyounotdothisalmostaswellasnotwhileyouarebuildingtheChickahominybridges？McDowellandShieldsbothsaytheycan，andpositivelywill，moveMondaymorning。Iwishyoutomovecautiouslyandsafely。
YouwillhavecommandofMcDowell，afterhejoinsyou，preciselyasyouindicatedinyourlongdespatchtousofthe21st。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALRUFUSSAXTON。
WARDEPARTMENT，May，241862。2P。M。
GENERALSAXTON：
GearyreportsJacksonwith20，000movingfromAshby’sGapbytheLittleRiverturnpike，throughAldie，towardCentreville。Thishesaysisreliable。Heisalsoinformedoflargeforcessouthofhim。
Weknowaforceofsome15，000brokeupSaturdaynightfrominfrontofFredericksburgandwentweknownotwhere。Pleaseinformus，ifpossible，whathasbecomeoftheforcewhichpursuedBanksyesterday；
alsoanyotherinformationyouhave。
A。LINCOLN
TELEGRAMTOCOLONELD。S。MILES。
WARDEPARTMENT，May24，1862。1。30P。M。
COLONELMILES，Harper’sFerry，VirginiaCouldyounotsendscoutsfromWinchesterwhowouldtellwhetherenemyarenorthofBanks，movingonWinchester？Whatisthelatestyouhave？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALJ。C。FREMONT。
WARDEPARTMENT，May24，1862。4P。M。
MAJOR—GENERALFREMONT，Franklin：
Youareauthorizedtopurchasethe400horses，ortakethemwhereverorhoweveryoucangetthem。TheexposedconditionofGeneralBanksmakeshisimmediatereliefapointofparamountimportance。YouarethereforedirectedbythePresidenttomoveagainstJacksonatHarrisonburgandoperateagainsttheenemyinsuchwayastorelieveBanks。Thismovementmustbemadeimmediately。Youwillacknowledgethereceiptofthisorder，andspecifythehouritisreceivedbyyou。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALJ。C。FREMONT。
WARDEPARTMENT，May24，1862。7。15P。M。
MAJOR—GENERALFREMONT，Franklin，Virginia：
Manythanksforthepromptnesswithwhichyouhaveansweredthatyouwillexecutetheorder。Much——perhapsall——dependsupontheceleritywithwhichyoucanexecuteit。Puttheutmostspeedintoit。Donotloseaminute。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALH。W。HALLECK。
WARDEPARTMENT，May24，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALHALLECK，nearCorinth，Mississippi：
SeveraldespatchesfromAssistantSecretaryScottandonefromGovernorMortonaskingreinforcementsforyouhavebeenreceived。I
begyoutobeassuredwedothebestwecan。ImeantocastnoblamewhereItellyoueachofourcommandersalongourlinefromRichmondtoCorinthsupposeshimselftobeconfrontedbynumberssuperiortohisown。UnderthispressureWethinnedthelineontheupperPotomac，untilyesterdayitwasbrokenwithheavylosstous，andGeneralBanksputingreatperil，outofwhichheisnotyetextricated，andmaybeactuallycaptured。Weneedmentorepairthisbreach，andhavethemnotathand。MydearGeneral，Ifeeljustifiedtorelyverymuchonyou。IbelieveyouandthebraveofficersandmenwithyoucanandwillgetthevictoryatCorinth。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALI。McDOWELL
WARDEPARTMENT，May24，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMcDOWELL，Fredricksburg：
GeneralFremonthasbeenorderedbytelegraphtomovefromFranklinonHarrisonburgtorelieveGeneralBanks，andcaptureordestroyJackson’sandEwell’sforces。Youareinstructed，layingasideforthepresentthemovementonRichmond，toput20，000meninmotionatoncefortheShenandoah，movingonthelineorinadvanceofthelineoftheManassasGaprailroad。YourobjectwillbetocapturetheforcesofJacksonandEwell，eitherinco—operationwithGeneralFremont，or，incasewantofsuppliesoroftransportation，interfereswithhismovements，itisbelievedthattheforcewhichyoumovewillbesufficienttoaccomplishthisobjectalone。TheinformationthusfarreceivedheremakesitprobablethatiftheenemyoperateactivelyagainstGeneralBanks，youwillnotbeabletocountuponmuchassistancefromhim，butmayevenhavetoreleasehim。ReportsreceivedthismomentarethatBanksisfightingwithEwelleightmilesfromWinchester。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMcDOWELL。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTONCITY，D。C。，May24，1862
MAJOR—GENERALI。McDOWELL：
Iamhighlygratifiedbyyouralacrityinobeyingmyorder。Thechangewasaspainfultomeasitcanpossiblybetoyouortoanyone。Everythingnowdependsuponthecelerityandvigorofyourmovement。
A。LINCOLN
TELEGRAMTOGENERALJ。W。GEARY。
WARDEPARTMENT，May25，18621。45P。M。
GENERALGEARY，WhitePlains：
Pleasegiveusyourbestpresentimpressionastothenumberoftheenemy’sforcesnorthofStrasburgandFrontRoyal。AretheforcesstillmovingnorththroughthegapatFrontRoyalandbetweenyouandthere？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WASHINGTON，May25，1862。2P。M。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
TheenemyismovingnorthinsufficientforcetodriveGeneralBanksbeforehim——preciselyinwhatforcewecannottell。HeisalsothreateningLeesburgandGeary，ontheManassasGaprailroad，frombothnorthandsouth——inpreciselywhatforcewecannottell。I
thinkthemovementisageneralandconcertedone，suchaswouldnotbeifhewasactinguponthepurposeofaverydesperatedefenseofRichmond。IthinkthetimeisnearwhenyoumusteitherattackRichmondorgiveupthejobandcometothedefenseofWashington。
Letmehearfromyouinstantly。
A。LINCOLN，President。
ORDERTAKINGMILITARYPOSSESSIONOFRAILROADS。
WARDEPARTMENT，May25，1862。
Ordered：ByvirtueoftheauthorityvestedbyactofCongress，thePresidenttakesmilitarypossessionofalltherailroadsintheUnitedStatesfromandafterthisdateuntilfurtherorder，anddirectsthattherespectiverailroadcompanies，theirofficersandservants，shallholdthemselvesinreadinessforthetransportationofsuchtroopsandmunitionsofwarasmaybeorderedbythemilitaryauthorities，totheexclusionofallotherbusiness。
ByorderoftheSecretaryofWar。
M。C。MEIGS
TELEGRAMTOSECRETARYCHASE。
WARDEPARTMENT，May25，1862。
SECRETARYCHASE，Fredericksburg，Virginia：
ItnowappearsthatBanksgotsafelyintoWinchesterlastnight，andisthismorningretreatingonHarper’sFerry。Thisjustifiestheinferencethatheispressedbynumberssuperiortohisown。IthinkitnotimprobablethatEwell，Jackson，andJohnsonarepouringthroughthegaptheymadedaybeforeyesterdayatFrontRoyal，makingadashnorthward。ItwillbeaveryvaluableandveryhonorableserviceforGeneralMcDowelltocutthemoff。Ihopehewillputallpossibleenergyandspeedintotheeffort。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALR。SAXTON。
WARDEPARTMENT，May25，1862。
GENERALSAXTON，Harper’sFerry：
IfBanksreachesMartinsburg，isheanythebetterforit？WillnottheenemycuthimfromthencetoHarper’sFerry？HaveyousentanythingtomeethimandassisthimatMartinsburg？Thisisaninquiry，notanorder。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALR。SAXTON。
WARDEPARTMENT，May25，1862。6。30P。M。
GENERALSAXTON，Harper’sFerry：
Onegoodsix—gunbattery，completeinitsmenandappointments，isnowonitswaytoyoufromBaltimore。Elevenotherguns，ofdifferentsorts，areontheirwaytoyoufromhere。Hopetheywillallreachyoubeforemorning。Asyouhavebut2500menatHarper’sFerry，wherearetherestwhichwereinthatvicinityandwhichwehavesentforward？Haveanyofthembeencutoff？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALR。SAXTON。
WARDEPARTMENT，May25，1862。
GENERALSAXTON，Harper’sFerry：
Ifearyouhavemistakenme。Ididnotmeantoquestionthecorrectnessofyourconduct；onthecontrary1Iapprovewhatyouhavedone。Asthe2500reportedbyyouseemedsmalltome，IfearedsomehadgottoBanksandbeencutoffwithhim。Pleasetellmetheexactnumberyounowhaveinhand。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
[Sentincipher。]
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTONCITY，D。C。，May25，1862。8。30P。M。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
Yourdespatchreceived。GeneralBankswasatStrasburg，withabout6，000men，ShieldshavingbeentakenfromhimtoswellacolumnforMcDowelltoaidyouatRichmond，andtherestofhisforcescatteredatvariousplaces。Onthe23darebelforceof7000to10，000fellupononeregimentandtwocompaniesguardingthebridgeatFrontRoyal，destroyingitentirely；crossedtheShenandoah，andonthe24thyesterdaypushedtogetnorthofBanks，ontheroadtoWinchester。Banksranaracewiththem，beatingthemintoWinchesteryesterdayevening。Thismorningabattleensuedbetweenthetwoforces，inwhichBankswasbeatenbackintofullretreattowardMartinsburg，andprobablyisbrokenupintoatotalrout。Geary，ontheManassasGaprailroad，justnowreportsthatJacksonisnownearFrontRoyal，With10，000，followingupandsupporting，asI
understand，theforcesnowpursuingBanks，alsothatanotherforceof10，000isnearOrleans，followingoninthesamedirection。Strippedhere，aswearehere，itwillbeallwecandotopreventthemcrossingthePotomacatHarper’sFerryorabove。Wehaveabout20，000ofMcDowell’sforcemovingbacktothevicinityofFrontRoyal，andGeneralFremont，whowasatFranklin，ismovingtoHarrisonburg；boththesemovementsintendedtogetintheenemy’srear。
OnemoreofMcDowell’sbrigadesisorderedthroughheretoHarper’sFerry；therestofhisforceremainsforthepresentatFredericksburg。WearesendingsuchregimentsanddribsfromhereandBaltimoreaswecansparetoHarper’sFerry，supplyingtheirplacesinsomesortbycallinginmilitiafromtheadjacentStates。
WealsohaveeighteencannonontheroadtoHarper’sFerry，ofwhicharmthereisnotasingleoneyetatthatpoint。Thisisnowoursituation。
IfMcDowell’sforcewasnowbeyondourreach，weshouldbeutterlyhelpless。Apprehensionofsomethinglikethis，andnounwillingnesstosustainyou，hasalwaysbeenmyreasonforwithholdingMcDowell’sforcefromyou。Pleaseunderstandthis，anddothebestyoucanwiththeforceyouhave。
A。LINCOLN。
HISTORYOFCONSPIRACYOFREBELLION
MESSAGETOCONGRESS。
MAY16，1862
TOTHESENATEANDHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES：
TheinsurrectionwhichisyetexistingintheUnitedStatesandaimsattheoverthrowoftheFederalConstitutionandtheUnion，wasclandestinelypreparedduringtheWinterof1860and1861，andassumedanopenorganizationintheformofatreasonableprovisionalgovernmentatMontgomery，inAlabamaonthe18thdayofFebruary，1861。Onthe12thdayofApril，1861，theinsurgentscommittedtheflagrantactofcivilwarbythebombardmentandthecaptureofFortSumter，Whichcutoffthehopeofimmediateconciliation。
Immediatelyafterwardalltheroadsandavenuestothiscitywereobstructed，andthecapitalwasputintotheconditionofasiege。
Themailsineverydirectionwerestoppedandthelinesoftelegraphcutoffbytheinsurgents，andmilitaryandnavalforceswhichhadbeencalledoutbythegovernmentforthedefenseofWashingtonwerepreventedfromreachingthecitybyorganizedandcombinedtreasonableresistanceintheStateofMaryland。Therewasnoadequateandeffectiveorganizationforthepublicdefense。Congresshadindefinitelyadjourned。Therewasnotimetoconvenethem。Itbecamenecessaryformetochoosewhether，usingonlytheexistingmeans，agencies，andprocesseswhichCongresshadprovided，Ishouldletthegovernmentfallatonceintoruinorwhether，availingmyselfofthebroaderpowersconferredbytheConstitutionincasesofinsurrection，Iwouldmakeanefforttosaveit，withallitsblessings，forthepresentageandforposterity。
Ithereuponsummonedmyconstitutionaladvisers，theheadsofallthedepartments，tomeetonSunday，the20thdayofApril，1861，attheofficeoftheNavyDepartment，andthenandthere，withtheirunanimousconcurrence，Idirectedthatanarmedrevenuecuttershouldproceedtoseatoaffordprotectiontothecommercialmarine，andespeciallytheCaliforniatreasureshipsthenontheirwaytothiscoast。Ialsodirectedthecommandantofthenavy—yardatBostontopurchaseorcharterandarmasquicklyaspossiblefivesteamshipsforpurposesofpublicdefense。Idirectedthecommandantofthenavy—yardatPhiladelphiatopurchaseorcharterandarmanequalnumberforthesamepurpose。IdirectedthecommandantatNewYorktopurchaseorcharterandarmanequalnumber。IdirectedCommanderGillistopurchaseorcharterandarmandputtoseatwoothervessels。SimilardirectionsweregiventoCommodoreDupont，withaviewtotheopeningofpassagesbywatertoandfromthecapital。I
directedtheseveralofficerstotaketheadviceandobtaintheaidandefficientservices，inthematter，ofhisExcellencyEdwinD。
Morgan，theGovernorofNewYork，orinhisabsenceGeorgeD。Morgan，WilliamM。Evarts，R。M。Blatchford，andMosesH。Grinnell，whowerebymydirectionsespeciallyempoweredbytheSecretaryoftheNavytoactforhisdepartmentinthatcrisisinmatterspertainingtotheforwardingoftroopsandsuppliesforthepublicdefense。
Theseveraldepartmentsofthegovernmentatthattimecontainedsolargeanumberofdisloyalpersonsthatitwouldhavebeenimpossibletoprovidesafelythroughofficialagentsonlyfortheperformanceofthedutiesthusconfidedtocitizensfavorablyknownfortheirability，loyalty，andpatriotism。
Theseveralordersissuedupontheseoccurrencesweretransmittedbyprivatemessengers，whopursuedacircuitouswaytotheseaboardcities，inlandacrosstheStatesofPennsylvaniaandOhioandthenorthernlakes。Ibelievebytheseandothersimilarmeasurestakeninthatcrisis，someofwhichwerewithoutanyauthorityoflaw，thegovernmentwassavedfromoverthrow。Iamnotawarethatadollarofthepublicfundsthusconfidedwithoutauthorityoflawtounofficialpersonswaseitherlostorwasted，althoughapprehensionsofsuchmisdirectionoccurredtomeasobjectionstothoseextraordinaryproceedings，andwerenecessarilyoverruled。
IrecallthesetransactionsnowbecausemyattentionhasbeendirectedtoaresolutionwhichwaspassedbytheHouseofRepresentativesonthe30thdayoflastmonth，whichisinthesewords：
\"Resolved，ThatSimonCameron，lateSecretaryofWarbyinvestingAlexanderCummingswiththecontroloflargesumsofthepublicmoneyandauthoritytopurchasemilitarysupplieswithoutrestriction，withoutrequiringfromhimanyguarantyforthefaithfulperformanceofhisduties，whentheservicesofcompetentpublicofficerswereavailable，andbyinvolvingthegovernmentinavastnumberofcontractswithpersonsnotlegitimatelyengagedinthebusinesspertainingtothesubject—matterofsuchcontracts，especiallyinthepurchaseofarmsforfuturedelivery，hasadoptedapolicyhighlyinjurioustothepublicservice，anddeservesthecensureoftheHouse。\"
CongresswillseethatIshouldbewantingequallyincandorandinjusticeifIshouldleavethecensureexpressedinthisresolutiontorestexclusivelyorchieflyuponMr。Cameron。ThesamesentimentisunanimouslyentertainedbytheheadsofdepartmentwhoparticipatedintheproceedingswhichtheHouseofRepresentativeshavecensured。
ItisduetoMr。Camerontosaythatalthoughhefullyapprovedtheproceedingstheywerenotmovednorsuggestedbyhimself，andthatnotonlythePresident，butalltheotherheadsofdepartments，wereatleastequallyresponsiblewithhimforwhatevererror，wrong，orfaultwascommittedinthepremises。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WASHINGTON，May26，1862。12。40
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
WehaveGeneralBanks’sofficialreport。Hehassavedhisarmyandbaggage，andhasmadeasaferetreattotheriver，andisprobablysafeatWilliamsport。Hereportstheattackingforceat15，000。
A。LINCOLN，President。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALI。McDOWELL。
WARDEPARTMENT，May26，1862。1P。M。
MAJOR—GENERALMcDOWELL，Falmouth，Virginia：
DespatchesfromGearyjustreceivedhavebeensentyou。Shouldnottheremainderofyourforces，exceptsufficienttoholdthepointatFredericksburg，movethisway——toManassasJunctionorAlexandria？
Ascommanderofthisdepartment，shouldyounotbehere？Iaskthesequestions。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMcCLELLAN。
WASHINGTON，May26，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALGEORGEB。McCLELLAN：
CanyounotcuttheAlulaCreekrailroad？Also，whatimpressionhaveyouastointrenchedworksforyoutocontendwithinfrontofRichmond？Canyougetnearenoughtothrowshellsintothecity？
A。LINCOLN，President。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALJ。C。FREMONT。
May27。1862。9。58P。M。
MAJOR—GENERALFREMONT：
IseethatyouareatMoorefield。YouwereexpresslyorderedtomarchtoHarrisonburg。Whatdoesthismean？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMFROMSECRETARYSTANTON
TOGOVERNORANDREW。
WASHINGTON，May27，1862。
GOVERNORANDREW，Boston：
ThePresidentdirectsthatthemilitiaberelieved，andtheenlistmentsmadeforthreeyears，orduringthewar。This，Ithink，willpracticallynotbelongerthanforayear。ThelatestintelligencefromGeneralBanksstatesthathehassavednearlyhiswholecommandwithsmallloss。
Concentrationsofourforcehavebeenmade，whichitishopedwillcapturetheenemy。
EDWINM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar。
TELEGRAMFROMSECRETARYSTANTON
TOGENERALJ。C。FREMONT，WASHINGTON，May28，1862
MAJOR—GENERALFREMONT，MoorefieldThePresidentdirectsyoutohaltatMoorefieldandawaitorders，unlessyouhearoftheenemybeinginthegeneraldirectionofRodney，inwhichcaseyouwillmoveuponhim。Acknowledgethereceiptofthisorder，andthehouritisreceived。
EDWINM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALI。McDOWELL。
WASHINGTON，May28，1862。
GENERALMcDOWELL，ManassasJunction：
GeneralMcClellanat6。30P。M。yesterdaytelegraphedthatFitz—JohnPorter’sdivisionhadfoughtanddriven13，000oftheenemy，underGeneralBranch，fromHanoverCourt—House，andwasdrivingthemfromastandtheyhadmadeontherailroadatthetimethemessengerleft。
TwohourslaterhetelegraphedthatStonemanhadcapturedanengineandsixcarsontheVirginiaCentral，whichheatoncesenttocommunicatewithPorter。NothingfurtherfromMcClellan。
IfPortereffectsalodgmentonbothrailroadsnearHanoverCourt—House，considerwhetheryourforcesinfrontofFredericksburgshouldnotpushthroughandjoinhim。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WASHINGTON，May28，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
WhatofF。J。Porter’sexpedition？Pleaseanswer。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALI。McDOWELL。
WASHINGTON。May28，1862。4P。M。
GENERALMcDOWELL，ManassasJunction：
YousayGeneralGeary’sscoutsreportthattheyfindnoenemythissideoftheBlueRidge。NeitherdoI。HavetheybeentotheBlueRidgelookingforthem。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALI。McDOWELL。
WASHINGTON，May28，1862。5。40P。M。
GENERALMcDOWELL，ManassasJunction：
IthinktheevidencenowpreponderatesthatEwellandJacksonarestillaboutWinchester。Assumingthis，itisforyouaquestionoflegs。Putinallthespeedyoucan。IhavetoldFremontasmuch，anddirectedhimtodriveatthemasfastaspossible。Bytheway，I
supposeyouknowFremonthasgotuptoMoorefield，insteadofgoingintoHarrisonburg。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN
WASHINGTONMay28，1862。8。40P。M。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
IamverygladofGeneralF。J。Porter’svictory。Still，ifitwasatotalroutoftheenemy，IampuzzledtoknowwhytheRichmondandFredericksburgrailroadwasnotseizedagain，asyousayyouhavealltherailroadsbuttheRichmondandFredericksburg。Iampuzzledtoseehow，lackingthat，youcanhaveany，exceptthescrapfromRichmondtoWestPoint。ThescrapoftheVirginiaCentralfromRichmondtoHanoverJunction，withoutmore，issimplynothing。ThatthewholeoftheenemyisconcentratingonRichmond，Ithinkcannotbecertainlyknowntoyouorme。Saxton，atHarper’sFerryinformsusthatlargeforces，supposedtobeJackson’sandEwells，forcedhisadvancefromCharlestowntoday。GeneralKingtelegraphsusfromFredericksburgthatcontrabandsgivecertaininformationthat15，000
leftHanoverJunctionMondaymorningtoreinforceJackson。Iampainfullyimpressedwiththeimportanceofthestrugglebeforeyou，andshallaidyouallIcanconsistentlywithmyviewofdueregardtoallpoints。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMFROMSECRETARYSTANTON
TOGENERALFREMONT。
WASHINGTON，May28，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALJOHNC。FREMONT，Moorefield：
TheordertoremainatMoorefieldwasbasedonthesuppositionthatitwouldfindyouthere。
UponsubsequentinformationthattheenemywerestilloperatinginthevicinityofWinchesterandMartinsburg，youweredirectedtomoveagainsttheenemy。
ThePresidentnowagaindirectsyoutomoveagainsttheenemywithoutdelay。Pleaseacknowledgethereceiptofthis，andthetimereceived。
EDWINM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMARCY。
WASHINGTON，May29，1862。10A。M。
GENERALR。B。MARCY，McClellan’sHeadquarters：
Yoursjustreceived。IthinkitcannotbecertainlyknownwhethertheforcewhichfoughtGeneralPorteristhesamewhichrecentlyconfrontedMcDowell。AnotheritemofevidencebearingonitisthatGeneralBranchcommandedagainstPorter，whileitwasGeneralAndersonwhowasinfrontofMcDowell。HeandMcDowellwereincorrespondenceaboutprisoners。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTONCITY，D。C。，May29，1862。10。30A。M。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
Ithinkweshallbeablewithinthreedaystotellyoucertainlywhetheranyconsiderableforceoftheenemy——Jacksonoranyoneelse——ismovingontoHarper’sFerryorvicinity。Takethisexpecteddevelopmentintoyourcalculations。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALN。P。BANKS。
WASHINGTON，May29，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALBANKS，Williamsport，Maryland：
GeneralMcDowell’sadvanceshould，andprobablywill，beatornearFrontRoyalattwelvenoontomorrow。GeneralFremontwillbeatornearStrasburgassoon。Pleasewatchtheenemyclosely，andfollowandharassanddetainhimifheattemptstoretire。ImeanthisforGeneralSaxton’sforceaswellasthatimmediatelywithyou。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALFREMONT
WASHINGTON，May29，1862。12M。
MAJOR—GENERALFREMONT，Moorefield，Virginia：
GeneralMcDowell’sadvance，ifnotcheckedbytheenemy，should，andprobablywill，beatFrontRoyalbytwelvenoonto—morrow。Hisforce，whenup，willbeabout20，000。PleasehaveyourforceatStrasburg，or，iftherouteyouaremovingondoesnotleadtothatpoint，asnearStrasburgastheenemymaybebythesametime。YourdespatchNo。30receivedandsatisfactory。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALI。McDOWELL。
WASHINGTON，May29，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMcDOWELL，ManassasJunction：
GeneralFremont’sforceshould，andprobablywill，beatornearStrasburgbytwelvenoontomorrow。Trytohaveyourforce，ortheadvanceofit，atFrontRoyalassoon。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMARCY。
WASHINGTON，May29，1862。1。20P。M。
GENERALR。B。MARCY：
YourdespatchastotheSouthAnnaandAshlandbeingseizedbyourforcesthismorningisreceived。UnderstandingthesepointstobeontheRichmondandFredericksburgrailroad，Iheartilycongratulatethecountry，andthankGeneralMcClellanandhisarmyfortheirseizure。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALI。McDOWELL。
WASHINGTON，May30，1862。10A。M。
MAJOR—GENERALMcDOWELL，ManassasJunction：
IsomewhatapprehendthatFremont’sforce，initspresentcondition，maynotbequitestrongenoughincaseitcomesincollisionwiththeenemy。ForthisadditionalreasonIwishyoutopushforwardyourcolumnasrapidlyaspossible。TellmewhatnumberyourforcereachingFrontRoyalwillamountto。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALN。P。BANKS。
WASHINGTON，May30，1862。10。15A。M。
MAJOR—GENERALBANKS，Williamsport，Maryland，viaHarper’sFerry：
IftheenemyinforceisinoraboutMartinsburg，Charlestown，andWinchester，Oranyorallofthem，hemaycomeincollisionwithFremont，inwhichcaseIamanxiousthatyourforce，withyouandatHarper’sFerry，shouldsooperateastoassistFremontifpossible；
thesameiftheenemyshouldengageMcDowell。Thiswasthemeaningofmydespatchyesterday。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALI。McDOWELL。
WASHINGTON，May30，1862。12。40。
MAJOR—GENERALMcDOWELL，Rectortown：
Yourdespatchofto—dayreceivedandissatisfactory。Fremonthasnominally22，000，reallyabout17，000。Blenker’sdivisionispartofit。IhaveadespatchfromFremontthismorning，nottellingmewhereheis；buthesays：
\"ScoutsandmenfromWinchesterrepresentJackson’sforcevariouslyat30，000to60，000。WithhimGeneralsEwellandLongstreet。\"
Thehighfigureserroneous，ofcourse。DoyouknowwhereLongstreetis？Corinthisevacuatedandoccupiedbyus。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALFREMONT。
WASHINGT0N，May30，1862。2。30P。M。
MAJOR—GENERALFREMONT，Moorefield，Virginia：
Yours，sayingyouwillreachStrasburgorvicinityat5P。M。
Saturday，hasbeenreceivedandsenttoGeneralMcDowell，andhedirectedtoactinviewofit。Youmustbeuptothetimeyoupromised，ifpossible。
Corinthwasevacuatedlastnight，andisoccupiedbyourtroopsto—
day；theenemygonesouthtoOkolotia，ontherailroadtoMobile。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALI。McDOWELL。
WARDEPARTMENTWASHINGTONCITY，May30，1862。9。30P。M。
MAJOR—GENERALMcDOWELL，Rectortown，Va。：
IsendyouadespatchjustreceivedfromSaxtonatHarper’sFerry：
\"Therebelsareinlineofbattleinfrontofourlines。Theyhaveninepiecesofartillery，andinposition，andcavalry。Ishelledthewoodsinwhichtheywere，andtheyinreturnthrewalargenumberofshellsintothelinesandtentsfromwhichImovedlastnighttotakeupastrongerposition。Iexpectagreatdealfromthebatteryonthemountain，havingthree9inchDahlgrenbearingdirectlyontheenemy’sapproaches。Theenemyappearedthismorningandthenretired，withtheintentionofdrawinguson。Ishallactonthedefensive，asmypositionisastrongone。InaskirmishwhichtookplacethisafternoonIlostonehorse，Theenemylosttwomenkilledandsevenwounded。
\"R。SAXTON，BrigadierGeneral。\"
Itseemsthegameisbeforeyou。HavesentacopytoGeneralFremont。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WASHINGTON，May31，1862。10。20PM。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
AcirclewhosecircumferenceshallpassthroughHarper’sFerry，FrontRoyal，andStrasburg，andwhosecentershallbealittlenortheastofWinchester，almostcertainlyhaswithinitthismorningtheforcesofJackson，Ewell，andEdwardJohnson。Quitecertainlytheywerewithinittwodaysago。SomepartoftheirforcesattackedHarper’sFerryatdarklastevening，andarestillinsightthismorning。Shields，withMcDowell’sadvance，retookFrontRoyalat11A。M。yesterday，withadozenofourownprisonerstakenthereaweekago，150oftheenemy，twolocomotives，andelevencars，someotherpropertyandstores，andsavedthebridge。
GeneralFremont，fromthedirectionofMoorefield，promisestobeatornearStrasburgat5P。M。to—day。GeneralBanksatWilliamsport，withhisoldforceandhisnewforceatHarper’sFerry，isdirectedtoco—operate。ShieldsatFrontRoyalreportsarumorofstillanadditionalforceoftheenemy，supposedtobeAnderson’s，havingenteredthevalleyofVirginia。Thislastmayormaynotbetrue。
CorinthiscertainlyinthehandsofGeneralHalleck。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMFROMSECRETARYSTANTON
TOGENERALG。A。McCALL。，WASHINGTON，May31，1562。
GENERALMcCALL：
ThePresidentdirectsmetosaytoyouthattherecanbenothingtojustifyapanicatFredericksburg。Heexpectsyoutomaintainyourpositionthereasbecomesasoldierandageneral。
EDWINM。STANTON，SecretaryofWar。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WASHINGTONCITY，D。C。，June1，1862。9。30。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
Youareprobablyengagedwiththeenemy。Isupposehemadetheattack。Standwellonyourguard，holdallyourground，oryieldanyonlyinchbyinchandingoodorder。ThismorningwemergeGeneralWool’sdepartmentintoyours，givingyoucommandofthewhole，andsendingGeneralDixtoPortMonroeandGeneralWooltoFortMcHenry。
WealsosendGeneralSigeltoreporttoyouforduty。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WASHINGTON，June3，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
WiththesecontinuousrainsIamveryanxiousabouttheChickahominysocloseinyourrearandcrossingyourlineofcommunication。
Pleaselooktoit。
A。LINCOLN，President。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALI。McDOWELL。
WASHINGTON，June3，1862。6。15P。M。
MAJOR—GENERALMcDOWELL，FrontRoyal，Virginia：
AnxioustoknowwhetherShieldscanheadorflankJackson。PleasetellaboutwhereShieldsandJackson，respectively，areatthetimethisreachesyou。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALH。W。HALLECK。
WASHINGTON，June4，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALHALLECK，Corinth：
Yourdespatchofto—daytoSecretaryofWarreceived。Thanksforthegoodnewsitbrings。
HaveyouanythingfromMemphisorotherpartsoftheMississippiRiver？Pleaseanswer。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGOVERNORJOHNSON。
[cipher。]
WASHINGTON，June4，1862。
HON。ANDREWJOHNSON，Nashville，Tennessee：
DoyoureallywishtohavecontrolofthequestionofreleasingrebelprisonerssofarastheymaybeTennesseeans？Ifyoudo，pleasetellusso。Youranswernottobemadepublic。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
[Cipher。]
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，June7，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
YourdespatchaboutChattanoogaandDaltonwasdulyreceivedandsenttoGeneralHalleck。Ihavejustreceivedthefollowinganswerfromhim：
WehaveFortPillow，Randolph，andMemphis。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALH。W。HALLECK。
WASHINGTON，June8，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALHALLECK，Corinth，Mississippi：
Wearechangingoneofthedepartmentallines，soastogiveyouallofKentuckyandTennessee。InyourmovementuponChattanoogaIthinkitprobablethatyouincludesomecombinationoftheforcenearCumberlandGapunderGeneralMorgan。
Doyou？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALN。P。BANKS。
WASHINGTON，June9，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALBANKS，Winchester：
WearearrangingageneralplanforthevalleyoftheShenandoah，andinaccordancewiththisyouwillmoveyourmainforcetotheShenandoahatoroppositeFrontRoyalassoonaspossible。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALJ。C。FREMONT。
WASHINGTON，June9，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALFREMONT：
HaltatHarrisonburg，pursuingJacksonnofarther。Getyourforcewellinhandandstandonthedefensive，guardingagainstamovementoftheenemyeitherbacktowardStrasburgortowardFranklin，andawaitfurtherorders，whichwillsoonbesentyou。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGOVERNORJOHNSON。
[Cipher。]
WASHINGTON，June9，1862。
HON。ANDREWJOHNSON，Nashville，’Tennessee：
YourdespatchaboutseizingseventyrebelstoexchangeforalikenumberofUnionmenwasdulyreceived。Icertainlydonotdisapprovetheproposition。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALJ。C。FREMONT。
WASHINGTON，June12，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALFREMONT：
Accounts，whichwedonotcredit，representthatJacksonislargelyreinforcedandturninguponyou。Getyourforceswellinhandandkeepuswellandfrequentlyadvised；andifyoufindyourselfreallypressedbyasuperiorforceoftheenemy，fallbackcautiouslytowardortoWinchester，andwewillhaveinduetimeBanksinpositiontosustainyou。DonotfallbackuponHarrisonburgunlessupontolerablyclearnecessity。WeunderstandJacksonisontheothersideoftheShenandoahfromyou，andhencecannotinanyeventpressyouintoanynecessityofaprecipitatewithdrawal。
A。LINCOLN。
P。S。——Yours，preferringMountJacksontoHarrisonburg，isjustreceived。Onthispointuseyourdiscretion，rememberingthatourobjectistogivesuchprotectionasyoucantowesternVirginia。
Manythankstoyourself，officers，andmenforthegallantbattleoflastSunday。
A。L。
MESSAGETOCONGRESS。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，June13，1862。
FELLOW—CITIZENSOFTHESENATEANDHOUSEOF
REPRESENTATIVES：IherewithtransmitamemorialaddressedandpresentedtomeinbehalfoftheStateofNewYorkinfavorofenlargingthelocksoftheErieandOswegoCanal。WhileIhavenotgivennorhaveleisuretogivethesubjectacarefulexamination，itsgreatimportanceisobviousandunquestionable。Thelargeamountofvaluablestatisticalinformationwhichiscollatedandpresentedinthememorialwillgreatlyfacilitatethematureconsiderationofthesubject，whichIrespectfullyaskforitatyourhands。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
TOGENERALJ。C。FREMONT。
WASHINGTON；June13。1862
MAJOR—GENERALFREMONT：
WecannotaffordtokeepyourforceandBanks’sandMcDowell’sengagedinkeepingJacksonsouthofStrasburgandFrontRoyal。YoufoughtJacksonaloneandworstedhim。HecanhavenosubstantialreinforcementssolongasabattleispendingatRichmond。SurelyyouandBanksinsupportingdistancearecapableofkeepinghimfromreturningtoWinchester。ButifSigelbesentforwardtoyou，andMcDowellashemustbeputtootherwork，JacksonwillbreakthroughatFrontRoyalagain。HeisalreadyontherightsideoftheShenandoahtodoit，andonthewrongsideofittoattackyou。TheordersalreadysentyouandBanksplaceyouandhimintheproperpositionsfortheworkassignedyou。Jacksoncannotmovehiswholeforceoneitherofyoubeforetheothercanlearnofitandgotohisassistance。Hecannotdividehisforce，sendingpartagainsteachofyou，becausehewillbetooweakforeither。PleasedoasIdirectedintheorderofthe8thandmydespatchofyesterday，the12th，andneitheryounorBankswillbeoverwhelmedbyJackson。Byproperscoutlookouts，andbeaconsofsmokebydayandfiresbynightyoucanalwayshavetimelynoticeoftheenemy’s’sapproach。Iknownotastoyou，butbysomethishasbeentoomuchneglected。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALJ。C。FREMONT
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTONCITY，D。C。，June15，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALFREMONT：
MYDEARSIR：——Yourletterofthe12thbyColonelZagonyiisjustreceived。Inanswertotheprincipalpartofit，Irepeatthesubstanceofanorderofthe8thandoneortwotelegraphicdespatchessentyousince。
Wehavenodefinitepowerofsendingreinforcements；sothatwearecompelledrathertoconsidertheproperdisposaloftheforceswehavethanofthosewecouldwishtohave。Wemaybeabletosendyousomedribsbydegrees，butIdonotbelievewecandomore。AsyoualonebeatJacksonlastSunday，Iarguethatyouarestrongerthanheisto—day，unlesshehasbeenreinforced；andthathecannothavebeenmateriallyreinforced，becausesuchreinforcementcouldonlyhavecomefromRichmond，andheismuchmorelikelytogotoRichmondthanRichmondistocometohim。Neitherisverylikely。IthinkJackson’sgame——hisassignedwork——nowistomagnifytheaccountsofhisnumbersandreportsofhismovements，andthusbyconstantalarmskeepthreeorfourtimesasmanyofourtroopsawayfromRichmondashisownforceamountsto。ThushehelpshisfriendsatRichmondthreeorfourtimesasmuchasifhewerethere。Ourgameisnottoallowthis。Accordingly，bytheorderofthe8th，IdirectedyoutohaltatHarrisonburg，restyourforce，andgetitwellinhand，theobjectsbeingtoguardagainstJackson’sreturningbythesameroutetotheupperPotomacoverwhichyouhavejustdrivenhimout，andatthesametimegivesomeprotectionagainstaraidintoWestVirginia。
AlreadyIhavegivenyoudiscretiontooccupyMountJacksoninstead，if，onfullconsideration，youthinkbest。IdonotbelieveJacksonwillattackyou，butcertainlyhecannotattackyoubysurprise；andifhecomesuponyouinsuperiorforce，youhavebuttonotifyus，fallbackcautiously，andBankswilljoinyouinduetime。ButwhileweknownotwhetherJacksonwillmoveatall，orbywhatroute，wecannotsafelyputyouandBanksbothontheStrasburgline，andleavenoforceontheFrontRoyalline——theverylineuponwhichheprosecutedhislateraid。ThetruepolicyistoplaceoneofyouononelineandtheotherontheotherinsuchpositionsthatyoucanuniteonceyouactuallyfindJacksonmovinguponit。Andthisispreciselywhatwearedoing。Thisprotectsthatpartofourfrontier，sotospeak，andliberatesMcDowelltogototheassistanceofMcClellan。Ihavearrangedthis，andamveryunwillingtohaveitderanged。WhileyouhaveonlyaskedforSigel，IhavespokenonlyofBanks，andthisbecauseSigel’sforceisnowtheprincipalpartofBank’sforce。
AbouttransferringGeneralSchenck’scommands，thepurchaseofsupplies，andthepromotionandappointmentofofficers，mentionedinyourletter，IwillconsultwiththeSecretaryofWarto—morrow。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALJ。C。FREMONT。
WASHINGTON，June16，1862
MAJOR—GENERALFREMONT，MountJackson，Virginia：
Yourdespatchofyesterday，remindingmeofasupposedunderstandingthatIwouldfurnishyouacorpsof35，000men，andaskingofmethe\"fulfilmentofthisunderstanding，\"isreceived。Iamreadytocometoafairsettlementofaccountswithyouonthefulfilmentofunderstandings。
EarlyinMarchlast，whenIassignedyoutothecommandoftheMountainDepartment，IdidtellyouIwouldgiveyoualltheforceI
could，andthatIhopedtomakeitreach35，000。YouatthesametimetoldmethatwithinareasonabletimeyouwouldseizetherailroadatoreastofKnoxville，Tenn。，ifyoucould。Therewastheninthedepartmentaforcesupposedtobe25，000，theexactnumberaswellknowntoyouastome。Afterlookingabouttwoorthreedays，youcalledanddistinctlytoldmethatifIwouldaddtheBlenkerdivisiontotheforcealreadyinthedepartment，youwouldundertakethejob。TheBlenkerdivisioncontained10，000，andattheexpenseofgreatdissatisfactiontoGeneralMcClellanItookitfromhisarmyandgaveittoyou。Mypromisewasliterallyfulfilled。I
havegivenyouallIcould，andIhavegivenyouverynearly，ifnotquite，35，000。
Nowforyours。Onthe23dofMay，largelyovertwomonthsafterward，youwereatFranklin，Va。，notwithin300milesofKnoxville，norwithin80milesofanypartoftherailroadeastofit，andnotmovingforward，buttelegraphingherethatyoucouldnotmoveforlackofeverything。Now，donotmisunderstandme。Idonotsayyouhavenotdoneallyoucould。Ipresumeyoumetunexpecteddifficulties；andIbegyoutobelievethatassurelyasyouhavedoneyourbest，sohaveI。IhavenotthepowernowtofillupyourCorpsto35，000。Iamnotdemandingofyoutodotheworkof35，000。
Iamonlyaskingofyoutostandcautiouslyonthedefensive，getyourforceinorder，andgivesuchprotectionasyoucantothevalleyoftheShenandoahandtowesternVirginia。
Haveyoureceivedtheorders，andwillyouactuponthem？
A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALC。SCHURZ。
WASHINGTON，June16，1862
BRIGADIER—GENERALSCHURZ，MountJackson，Virginia：
Yourlongletterisreceived。Theinformationyougiveisvaluable。
YousayitisfortunatethatFremontdidnotinterceptJackson；thatJacksonhadthesuperiorforce，andwouldhaveoverwhelmedhim。Ifthisisso，howhappeneditthatFremontfairlyfoughtandroutedhimonthe8th？Oristheaccountthathedidfightandrouthimfalseandfabricated？BothGeneralFremontandyouspeakofJacksonhavingbeatenShields。ByouraccountshedidnotbeatShields。HehadnoengagementwithShields。Hedidmeetanddrivebackwithdisasterabout2000ofShields’sadvancetilltheyweremetbyanadditionalbrigadeofShields’s，whenJacksonhimselfturnedandretreated。
Shieldshimselfandmorethanhalfhisforcewerenotnearerthantwentymilestoanyofit。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALH。W。HALLECK。
WASHINGTON，June18，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALHALLECK，Corinth，Mississippi：
ItwouldbeofbothinterestandvaluetousheretoknowhowtheexpeditiontowardEastTennesseeisprogressing，ifinyourjudgmentyoucangiveustheinformationwithsafety。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，June18，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
Yoursofto—day，makingitprobablethatJacksonhasbeenreinforcedbyabout10，000fromRichmond，iscorroboratedbyadespatchfromGeneralKingatFredericksburg，sayingaFrenchman，justarrivedfromRichmondbywayofGordonsville，met10，000to15，000passingthroughthelatterplacetojoinJackson。
Ifthisistrue，itisasgoodasareinforcementtoyouofanequalforce。IcouldbetterdisposeofthingsifIcouldknowaboutwhatdayyoucanattackRichmond，andwouldbegladtobeinformed，ifyouthinkyoucaninformmewithsafety。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WASHINGTON，JUNE19，1862
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
Yoursoflastnightjustreceived，andforwhichIthankyou。
IflargereinforcementsaregoingfromRichmondtoJackson，itprovesoneoftwothings：eithertheyareverystrongatRichmond，ordonotmeantodefendtheplacedesperately。
Onreflection，IdonotseehowreinforcementsfromRichmondtoJacksoncouldbeinGordonsville，asreportedbytheFrenchmanandyourdeserters。Havenotallbeensenttodeceive？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，June20，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
InregardtothecontemplatedexecutionofCaptainsSpriggsandTriplettthegovernmenthasnoinformationwhatever，butwillinquireandadviseyou。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WASHINGTONCITY，June20，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
WehavethismorningsentyouadespatchofGeneralSigelcorroborativeofthepropositionthatJacksonisbeingreinforcedfromRichmond。Thismaybereality，andyetmayonlybecontrivancefordeception，andtodeterminewhichisperplexing。Ifweknewitwasnottrue，wecouldsendyousomemoreforce；butasthecasestandswedonotthinkwesafelycan。Still，wewillwatchthesignsanddosoifpossible。
InregardtoacontemplatedexecutionofCaptainsSpriggsandTriplettthegovernmenthasnoinformationwhatever，butwillinquireandadviseyou。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WASHINGTON，June2118626PM。
MAJOR—GENERALGEORGEB。McCLELLAN：
Yourdespatchofyesterday2P。M。wasreceivedthismorning。Ifitwouldnotdiverttoomuchofyourtimeandattentionfromthearmyunderyourimmediatecommand，Iwouldbegladtohaveyourviewsastothepresentstateofmilitaryaffairsthroughoutthewholecountry，asyousayyouwouldbegladtogivethem。Iwouldratheritshouldbebyletterthanbytelegraph，becauseofthebetterchanceofsecrecy。AstothenumbersandpositionsofthetroopsnotunderyourcommandinVirginiaandelsewhere，evenifIcoulddoitwithaccuracy，whichIcannot，Iwouldrathernottransmiteitherbytelegraphorbyletter，becauseofthechancesofitsreachingtheenemy。Iwouldbeverygladtotalkwithyou，butyoucannotleaveyourcamp，andIcannotwellleavehere。
A。LINCOLN，PresidentTELEGRAMTOGENERALN。P。BANKS。
WARDEPARTMENT，June22，1862
MAJOR—GENERALBANKS，Middletown：
Iamverygladyouarelookingwelltothewestforamovementoftheenemyinthatdirection。Youknowmyanxietyonthatpoint。
AllwasquietatGeneralMcClellan’sheadquartersattwoo’clockto—day。
A。LINCOLN。
TREATYWITHMEXICO
MESSAGETOTHESENATE。
WASHINGTON，June23，1862。
TOTHESENATEOFTHEUNITEDSTATES：
Onthe7thdayofDecember，1861，IsubmittedtotheSenatetheprojectofatreatybetweentheUnitedStatesandMexicowhichhadbeenproposedtomebyMr。Corwin，ourministertoMexico，andrespectfullyrequestedtheadviceoftheSenatethereupon。
Onthe25thdayofFebruarylastaresolutionwasadoptedbytheSenatetotheeffect\"thatitisnotadvisabletonegotiateatreatythatwillrequiretheUnitedStatestoassumeanyportionoftheprincipalorinterestofthedebtofMexico，orthatwillrequiretheconcurrenceofEuropeanpowers。\"
Thisresolutionhavingbeendulycommunicatedtome，noticethereofwasimmediatelygivenbytheSecretaryofStatetoMr。Corwin，andhewasinformedthathewastoconsiderhisinstructionsuponthesubjectreferredtomodifiedbythisresolutionandwouldgovernhiscourseaccordingly。ThatdespatchfailedtoreachMr。Corwin，byreasonofthedisturbedconditionofMexico，untilaveryrecentdate，Mr。Corwinbeingwithoutinstructions，orthuspracticallyleftwithoutinstructions，tonegotiatefurtherwithMexico。
InviewoftheveryimportanteventsOccurringthere，hehasthoughtthattheinterestsoftheUnitedStateswouldbepromotedbytheconclusionoftwotreatieswhichshouldprovideforaloantothatrepublic。Hehasthereforesignedsuchtreaties，andtheyhavingbeendulyratifiedbytheGovernmentofMexico，hehastransmittedthemtomeformyconsideration。TheactionoftheSenateisofcourseconclusiveagainstanacceptanceofthetreatiesOnmypart。
Ihave，nevertheless，thoughtitjusttoourexcellentministerinMexicoandrespectfultotheGovernmentofthatrepublictolaythetreatiesbeforetheSenate，togetherwiththecorrespondencewhichhasoccurredinrelationtothem。InperformingthisdutyIhaveonlytoaddthattheimportanceofthesubjectthussubmittedtotheSenate，cannotbeoverestimated，andIshallcheerfullyreceiveandconsiderwiththehighestrespectanyfurtheradvicetheSenatemaythinkpropertogiveuponthesubject。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
VETOOFACURRENCYBILL
MESSAGETOTHESENATE，JUNE23，1862。
TOTHESENATEOFTHEUNITEDSTATES：
ThebillwhichhaspassedtheHouseofRepresentativesandtheSenate，entitled\"AnacttorepealthatpartofanactofCongresswhichprohibitsthecirculationofbank—notesofalessdenominationthanfivedollarsintheDistrictofColumbia，\"hasreceivedmyattentiveconsideration，andInowreturnittotheSenate，inwhichitoriginated，withthefollowingobjections：
1。Thebillproposestorepealtheexistinglegislationprohibitingthecirculationofbank—notesofalessdenominationthanfivedollarswithintheDistrictofColumbia，withoutpermittingtheissuingofsuchbillsbybanksnotnowlegallyauthorizedtoissuethem。Inmyjudgment，itwillbefoundimpracticable，inthepresentconditionofthecurrency，tomakesuchadiscrimination。
Thebankshavegenerallysuspendedspeciepayments，andalegalsanctiongiventothecirculationoftheirredeemablenotesofoneclassofthemwillalmostcertainlybesoextended，inpracticaloperation，astoincludethoseofallclasses，whetherauthorizedorunauthorized。Ifthisviewbecorrect，thecurrencyoftheDistrict，shouldthisactbecomealaw，willcertainlyandgreatlydeteriorate，totheseriousinjuryofhonesttradeandhonestlabor。
2。Thisbillseemstocontemplatenoendwhichcannotbeotherwisemorecertainlyandbeneficiallyattained。DuringtheexistingwaritispeculiarlythedutyoftheNationalGovernmenttosecuretothepeopleasoundcirculatingmedium。Thisdutyhasbeen，underexistingcircumstances，satisfactorilyperformed，inpartatleast，byauthorizingtheissueofUnitedStatesnotes，receivableforallgovernmentduesexceptcustoms，andmadealegaltenderforalldebts，publicandprivate，exceptinterestonpublicdebt。Theobjectofthebillsubmittedtome——namely，thatofprovidingasmallnotecurrencyduringthepresentsuspension——canbefullyaccomplishedbyauthorizingtheissue，aspartofanynewemissionofUnitedStatesnotesmadenecessarybythecircumstancesofthecountry，ofnotesofasimilarcharacter，butoflessdenominationthanfivedollars。Suchanissuewouldanswerallthebeneficialpurposesofthebill，wouldsaveaconsiderableamounttothetreasuryininterest，wouldgreatlyfacilitatepaymentstosoldiersandothercreditorsofsmallsums，andwouldfurnish；tothepeopleacurrencyassafeastheirowngovernment。
Entertainingtheseobjectionstothebill，IfeelmyselfconstrainedtowithholdfromitmyapprovalandreturnitforthefurtherconsiderationandactionofCongress。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN
SPEECHATJERSEYCITY，JUNE24，1862。
Whenbirdsandanimalsarelookedatthroughafog，theyareseentodisadvantage，andsoitmightbewithyouifIweretoattempttotellyouwhyIwenttoseeGeneralScott。IcanonlysaythatmyvisittoWestPointdidnothavetheimportancewhichhasbeenattachedtoit；butitconcernedmattersthatyouunderstandquiteaswellasifIweretotellyouallaboutthem。Now，Icanonlyremarkthatithadnothingwhatevertodowithmakingorunmakinganygeneralinthecountry。TheSecretaryofWar，youknow，holdsaprettytightreinonthepress，sothattheyshallnottellmorethantheyoughtto；andI’mafraidthatifIblabtoomuch，hemightdrawatightreinonme。
TOGENERALG。B。McCLELLAN。
WASHINGTON，June26，1862。
MAJOR—GENERALMcCLELLAN：
Yourthreedespatchesofyesterdayinrelationtotheaffair，endingwiththestatementthatyoucompletelysucceededinmakingyourpoint，areverygratifying。
Thelateroneof6。15P。M。，suggestingtheprobabilityofyourbeingoverwhelmedbytwohundredthousand，andtalkingofwheretheresponsibilitywillbelong，painsmeverymuch。IgiveyouallI
can，andactonthepresumptionthatyouwilldothebestyoucanwithwhatyouhave，whileyoucontinue，ungenerouslyIthink，toassumethatIcouldgiveyoumoreifIwould。Ihaveomitted，andshallomit，noopportunitytosendyoureinforcementswheneverI
possiblycan。
A。LINCOLN。
P。S。GeneralPopethinksifyoufallbackitwouldbemuchbettertowardsYorkRiverthantowardstheJames。AsPopenowhaschargeofthecapital，pleaseconferwithhimthroughthetelegraph。
ORDERCONSTITUTINGTHEARMYOFVIRGINIA。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C。，June26，1862。
Ordered：
1st。TheforcesunderMajor—GeneralsFremont，Banks，andMcDowell，includingthetroopsnowunderBrigadier—GeneralSturgisatWashington，shallbeconsolidatedandformonearmy，tobecalledtheArmyofVirginia。
2d。ThecommandoftheArmyofVirginiaisspeciallyassignedtoMajor—GeneralJohnPope，ascommandinggeneral。ThetroopsoftheMountainDepartment，heretoforeundercommandofGeneralFremont，shallconstitutetheFirstArmyCorps，underthecommandofGeneralFremont；thetroopsoftheShenandoahDepartment，nowunderGeneralBanks，shallconstitutetheSecondArmyCorps，andbecommandedbyhim；thetroopsunderthecommandofGeneralMcDowell，exceptthosewithinthefortificationsandcityofWashington，shallformtheThirdArmyCorps，andbeunderhiscommand。