MAJOR—GENERALROSECRANS，Chattanooga：
Beofgoodcheer。Wehaveunabatedconfidenceinyou，andinyoursoldiersandofficers。Inthemainyoumustbethejudgeastowhatistobedone。IfIweretosuggest，Iwouldsay，saveyourarmybytakingstrongpositionsuntilBurnsidejoinsyou，when，Ihope，youcanturnthetide。IthinkyouhadbettersendacouriertoBurnsidetohurryhimup。Wecannotreachhimbytelegraph。WesupposesomeforceisgoingtoyoufromCorinth，butforwantofcommunicationwedonotknowhowtheyaregettingalong。Weshalldoourutmosttoassistyou。Sendusyourpresentpositions。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALW。S。ROSECRANS。
[Cipher。]
WARDEPARTMENT，September22，1863。8。30A。M。
MAJOR—GENERALROSECRANS，Chattanooga，Tenn。：
Wehavenotawordhereastothewhereaboutsorconditionofyourarmyuptoalaterhourthansunset，Sunday，the20th。Yourdespatchestomeof9A。M。，andtoGeneralHalleckof2P。M。，yesterday，tellusnothinglateronthosepoints。Pleaserelievemyanxietyastothepositionandconditionofyourarmyuptothelatestmoment。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOO。M。HATCHANDJ。K。DUBOIS。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON。
September22，1863。
HON。O。M。HATCH，HON。J。K。DUBOIS，Springfield，Ill。：
Yourletterisjustreceived。Theparticularformofmydespatchwasjocular，whichIsupposedyougentlemenknewmewellenoughtounderstand。GeneralAllenisconsideredhereasaveryfaithfulandcapableofficer，andonewhowouldbeatleastthoughtofforquartermaster—generalifthatofficewerevacant。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOMRS。LINCOLN。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，September22，1863。
MRS。A。LINCOLN，FifthAvenueHouse，NewYork：——Didyoureceivemydespatchofyesterday？Mrs。Cuthbertdidnotcorrectlyunderstandme。
Idirectedhertotellyoutouseyourownpleasurewhethertostayorcome，andIdidnotsayitissicklyandthatyoushouldonnoaccountcome。SofarasIseeorknow，itwasneverhealthier，andI
reallywishtoseeyou。Answerthisonreceipt。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALW。S。ROSECRANS。
WASHINGTON，September23，1863。9。13A。M。
MAJOR—GENERALROSECRANS，Chattanooga，Tenn：
BelowisBragg’sdespatchasfoundintheRichmondpapers。Youseehedoesnotclaimsomanyprisonersorcapturedgunsasyouwereinclinedtoconcede。Healsoconfessestoheavyloss。AnexchangedgeneralofoursleavingRichmondyesterdaysaystwoofLongstreet’sdivisionsandhisentireartilleryandtwoofPickett’sbrigadesandWise’slegionhavegonetoTennessee。Hementionsnoother。
\"CHICAMAUGARIVER，SEPTEMBER20。
\"GENERALCOOPER，Adjutant—General：
\"Aftertwodays’hardfightingwehavedriventheenemy，afteradesperateresistance，fromseveralpositions，andnowholdthefield；
buthestillconfrontsus。Thelosesareheavyonbothsides，especiallyinourofficers……
BRAXTONBRAGG
A。LINCOLN
PROCLAMATIONOPENINGTHEPORTOFALEXANDRIA，VIRGINIA，SEPTEMBER24，1863。
BYTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA：
AProclamation。
Whereas，inmyproclamationofthetwenty—seventhofApril，1861，theportsoftheStatesofVirginiaandNorthCarolinawere，forreasonsthereinsetforth，placedunderblockade；andwhereastheportofAlexandria，Virginia，hassincebeenblockaded，butastheblockadeofsaidportmaynowbesafelyrelaxedwithadvantagetotheinterestsofcommerce：
Now，therefore，beitknownthatI，AbrahamLincoln，PresidentoftheUnitedSates，pursuanttotheauthorityinmevestedbythefifthsectionoftheactofCongress，approvedonthe13thofJuly，1861，entitled\"Anactfurthertoprovideforthecollectionofdutiesonimports，andforotherpurposes，\"doherebydeclarethattheblockadeofthesaidportofAlexandriashallsofarceaseanddetermine，fromandafterthisdate，thatcommercialintercoursewithsaidport，exceptastopersons，things，andinformationcontrabandofwar，mayfromthisdatebecarriedon，subjecttothelawsoftheUnitedStates，andtothelimitationsandinpursuanceoftheregulationswhichareprescribedbytheSecretaryoftheTreasuryinhisorderwhichisappendedtomyproclamationofthe12thofMay，1862。
Inwitnesswhereof，Ihavehereuntosetmyhand，andcausedthesealoftheUnitedStatestobeaffixed。
DoneatthecityofWashington，thistwenty—fourthdayofSeptemberintheyearofourLordonethousandeighthundredandsixty—three，andoftheindependenceoftheUnitedStatestheeighty—eighth。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresidentWILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALW。S。ROSECRANS。
WARDEPARTMENT，September24，1863。10A。M。
MAJOR—GENERALROSECRANS，Chattanooga，Term。：
Lastnightwereceivedtherebelaccounts，throughRichmondpapers，ofyourlatebattle。TheygiveMajor—GeneralHoodasmortallywounded，andBrigadiersPrestonSmith，Wofford，Walthall，HelmofKentucky，andDesMerkilled，andMajor—GeneralsPreston，Cleburne，andGregg，andBrigadier—GeneralsBenning，Adams，Burm，Brown，andJohn[B。H。]Helmwounded。ByconfusionthetwoHelmsmaybethesameman，andBunnandBrownmaybethesameman。WithBurnside，Sherman，andfromelsewhereweshallgettoyoufromfortytosixtythousandadditionalmen。
A。LINCOLN
MRS。LINCOLN’SREBELBROTHER—IN—LAWKILLED
TELEGRAMTOMRS。LINCOLN。
WARDEPARTMENT，SEPTEMBER24，1863
MRS。A。LINCOLN，FifthAvenueHotel，NewYork：
WenowhaveatolerablyaccuratesummingupofthelatebattlebetweenRosecransandBraag。Theresultisthatweareworsted，ifatall，onlyinthefactthatwe，afterthemainfightingwasover，yieldedtheground，thusleavingconsiderableofourartilleryandwoundedtofallintotheenemy’shands。，forwhichwegotnothinginturn。Welostingeneralofficersonekilledandthreeorfourwounded，allbrigadiers，while，accordingtotherebelaccountswhichwehave，theylostsixkilledandeightwounded：ofthekilledonemajor—generalandfivebrigadiersincludingyourbrother—in—law，Helm；andofthewoundedthreemajor—generalsandfivebrigadiers。
Thislistmaybereducedtwoinnumberbycorrectionsofconfusioninnames。At11。40A。M。yesterdayGeneralRosecranstelegraphedfromChattanooga：\"Weholdthispoint，andIcannotbedislodgedexceptbyverysuperiornumbersandafteragreatbattle。\"Adespatchleavingthereafternightyesterdaysays，\"Nofightto—day。\"
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMcCALLUM。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，September25，1863。
GENERALMcCALLUM，Alexandria，Va。：
IhavesenttoGeneralMeade，bytelegraph，tosuspendtheexecutionofDanielSullivanofCompanyF，ThirteenthMassachusetts，whichwastobeto—day，butunderstandingthereisaninterruptionontheline，mayIbegyoutosendthistohimbythequickestmodeinyourpower？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMEADE。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，September25，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE，ArmyofPotomac：
OwingtothepressinbehalfofDanielSullivan，CompanyE，ThirteenthMassachusetts，andthedoubt；thoughsmall，whichyouexpressofhisguiltyintention，Ihaveconcludedtosaylethisexecutionbesuspendedtillfurtherorder，andcopyofrecordsentme。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALW。S。ROSECRANS。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，September25，1863。
MYDEARGENERALROSECRANS：
Wearesendingyoutwosmallcorps，oneunderGeneralHowardandoneunderGeneralSlocum，andthewholeunderGeneralHooker。
UnfortunatelytherelationsbetweenGeneralsHookerandSlocumarenotsuchastopromisegood，iftheirpresentrelativepositionsremain。Therefore，letmebeg——almostenjoinuponyou——thatontheirreachingyou，youwillmakeatranspositionbywhichGeneralSlocumwithhisCorps，maypassfromunderthecommandofGeneralHooker，andGeneralHooker，inturnreceivesomeotherequalforce。Itisimportantforthistobedone，thoughwecouldnotwellarrangeithere。Pleasedoit。
Yoursverytruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALW。S。ROSECRANS。
WARDEPARTMENT，September28，1863。8A。M。
MAJOR—GENERALROSECRANS，Chattanooga。，Tenn。：
YoucanperhapscommunicatewithGeneralBurnsidemorerapidlybysendingtelegramsdirectlytohimatKnoxville。Thinkofit。Isendalikedespatchtohim。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALSCHOFIELD。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C，September30，1863。
GENERALSCHOFIELD，SaintLouis，Mo。：
Followingdespatchjustreceived：
\"UnionMenDrivenoutofMissouri。\"
\"Leavenworth，September29，I863。
\"GovernorGamblehavingauthorizedColonelMoss，ofLiberty，Missouri，toarmthemeninPlatteandClintonCounties，hehasarmedmostlythereturnedrebelsoldiersandmenwiderbonds。Moss’smenarenowdrivingtheUnionmenoutofMissouri。Overonehundredfamiliescrossedtheriverto—day。ManyofthewivesofourUnionsoldiershavebeencompelledtoleave。FourorfiveUnionmenhavebeenmurderedbyColonelMoss’smen。\"
Pleaselooktothisand，iftrue，inmainorpart，putastoptoit。
A。LINCOLN
TELEGRAMTOF。S。CORKRAN。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，September30，1863。
HON。FRANCISS。CORKRAN，Baltimore，Md。：
MRS。L。isnowathomeandwouldbepleasedtoseeyouanytime。Ifthegrapetimehasnotpassedaway，shewouldbepleasedtojoinintheenterpriseyoumention。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALTYLER
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，October1，1863。
GENERALTYLER，Baltimore：
Takecareofcoloredtroopsinyourcharge，butdonothingfurtheraboutthatbranchofaffairsuntilfurtherorders。ParticularlydonothingaboutGeneralVickersofKentCounty。
A。LINCOLN。
SendacopytoColonelBirney。
A。L。
TOGENERALSCHOFIELD。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，OCTOBER1，1863
GENERALJOHNM。SCHOFIELD：
ThereisnoorganizedmilitaryforceinavowedoppositiontotheGeneralGovernmentnowinMissouri，andifanyshallreappear，yourdutyinregardtoitwillbetooplaintorequireanyspecialinstruction。Still，theconditionofthings，boththereandelsewhere，issuchastorenderitindispensabletomaintain，foratime，theUnitedStatesmilitaryestablishmentinthatState，aswellastorelyuponitforafaircontributionofsupporttothatestablishmentgenerally。YourimmediatedutyinregardtoMissourinowistoadvancetheefficiencyofthatestablishment，andtosouseit，asfaraspracticable，tocompeltheexcitedpeopletheretoletoneanotheralone。
Underyourrecentorder，whichIhaveapproved，youwillonlyarrestindividuals，andsuppressassembliesornewspapers，whentheymaybeworkingpalpableinjurytothemilitaryinyourcharge；andinnoothercasewillyouinterferewiththeexpressionofopinioninanyform，orallowittobeinterferedwithviolentlybyothers。Inthisyouhaveadiscretiontoexercisewithgreatcaution，calmness，andforbearance。
Withthematterofremovingtheinhabitantsofcertaincountiesenmasse，andofremovingcertainindividualsfromtimetotime，whoaresupposedtobemischievous，Iamnotnowinterfering，butamleavingtoyourowndiscretion。
NoramIinterferingwithwhatmaystillseemtoyoutobenecessaryrestrictionsupontradeandintercourse。Ithinkproper，however，toenjoinuponyouthefollowing：Allownopartofthemilitaryunderyourcommandtobeengagedineitherreturningfugitiveslavesorinforcingorenticingslavesfromtheirhomes；and，sofaraspracticable，enforcethesameforbearanceuponthepeople。
ReporttomeyouropinionupontheavailabilityforgoodoftheenrolledmilitiaoftheState。Allownoonetoenlistcoloredtroops，exceptuponordersfromyou，orfromherethroughyou。
Allownoonetoassumethefunctionsofconfiscatingproperty，underthelawofCongress，orotherwise，exceptuponordersfromhere。
Atelectionsseethatthose，andonlythose，areallowedtovotewhoareentitledtodosobythelawsofMissouri，includingasofthoselawstherestrictionslaidbytheMissouriconventionuponthosewhomayhaveparticipatedintherebellion。
Sofaraspracticable，youwill，bymeansofyourmilitaryforce，expelguerrillas，marauders，andmurderers，andallwhoareknowntoharbor，aid，orabetthem。Butinlikemanneryouwillrepressassumptionsofunauthorizedindividualstoperformthesameservice，becauseunderpretenseofdoingthistheybecomemaraudersandmurderersthemselves。
Tonowrestorepeace，letthemilitaryobeyorders，andthosenotofthemilitaryleaveeachotheralone，thusnotbreakingthepeacethemselves。
Ingivingtheabovedirections，itisnotintendedtorestrainyouinotherexpedientandnecessarymattersnotfallingwithintheirrange。
Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALS。M。SCHOFIELD。
WASHINGTON，D。C。OCTOBER2，1863
MAJOR—GENERALSCHOFIELD：
IhavejustseenyourdespatchtoHalleckaboutMajor—GeneralBlunt。
Ifpossible，youbetterallowmetogetthroughwithacertainmatterhere，beforeaddingtothedifficultiesofit。MeantimesupplymetheparticularsofMajor—GeneralBlunt’scase。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOCOLONELBIRNEY。
[Cipher。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，October3，1863。
COLONELBIRNEY，Baltimore，Md。：
Pleasegiveme，asnearasyoucan，thenumberofslavesyouhaverecruitedinMaryland。Ofcoursethenumberisnottoincludethefreecolored。
A。LINCOLN。
PROCLAMATIONFORTHANKSGIVING，OCTOBER3，1863。
BYTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATESAMERICA：
AProclamation。
Theyearthatisdrawingtowardsitsclosehasbeenfilledwiththeblessingsoffruitfulfieldsandhealthfulskies。Tothesebounties，whicharesoconstantlyenjoyedthatwearepronetoforgetthesourcefromwhichtheycome，othershavebeenaddedwhichareofsoextraordinaryanaturethattheycannotfailtopenetrateandsofteneventheheartwhichishabituallyinsensibletotheever—watchfulprovidenceofAlmightyGod。Inthemidstofacivilwarofunequalledmagnitudeandseveritywhichhassometimesseemedtoinviteandprovoketheaggressionsofforeignstates；peacehasbeenpreservedwithallnations，orderhasbeenmaintained，thelawshavebeenrespectedandobeyed，andharmonyhasprevailedeverywhereexceptinthetheatreofmilitaryconflict；whilethattheatrehasbeengreatlycontractedbytheadvancingarmiesandnaviesoftheUnion。Theneedfuldiversionofwealthandstrengthfromthefieldsofpeacefulindustry，tothenationaldefensehasnotarrestedtheplough，theshuttle，ortheship：Theaxehasenlargedthebordersofoursettlements，andthemines，aswellof，ironandcoalasofthepreciousmetals，haveyieldedevenmoreabundantlythanheretofore。
Populationhassteadilyincreased，notwithstandingthewastethathasbeenmadeinthecamp，thesiege，andthebattle—field；andthecountry，rejoicingintheconsciousnessofaugmentedstrengthandvigor，ispermittedtoexpectacontinuanceofyears，withlargeincreaseoffreedom。
Nohumancounselhathdevised，norhathanymortalhandworkedoutthesegreatthings。TheyarethegraciousgiftsoftheMostHighGod，who，whiledealingwithusinangerforoursins，hathneverthelessrememberedmercy。
Ithasseemedtomefitandproperthattheyshouldbereverently，solemnly，andgratefullyacknowledged，aswithoneheartandvoice，bythewholeAmericanpeople。Ido，therefore，invitemyfellow—citizensineverypartoftheUnitedStates，andalsothosewhoareatsea，andthosewhoaresojourninginforeignlands，tosetapartandobservethelastThursdayofNovembernextasadayofthanksgivingandprayertoourbeneficentFatherwhodwellethintheheavens。AndIrecommendtothemthat，whileofferinguptheascriptionsjustlyduetoHimforsuchsingulardeliverancesandblessings，theydoalso，withhumblepenitenceforournationalperversenessanddisobedience，commendtoHistendercareallthosewhohavebecomewidows，orphans，mourners，orsufferersinthelamentablecivilstrifeinwhichweareunavoidablyengaged，andferventlyimploretheinterpositionoftheAlmightyhandtohealthewoundsofthenation，andtorestoreit，assoonasmaybeconsistentwithdivinepurposes，tothefullenjoymentofpeace，harmony，tranquillity，andunion。
Intestimonywhereof，Ihavehereuntosetmyhand，andcausedthesealoftheUnitedStatestobeaffixed。
DoneatthecityofWashington，thisthirddayofOctober，intheyearofourLordonethousandeighthundredandsixty—three，andoftheindependenceoftheUnitedStatestheeighty—eighth。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofStateTELEGRAMTOGENERALJ。M。SCHOFIELD。
WASHINGTOND。C。，OCTOBER4，1863
MAJOR—GENERALSCHOFIELD，St。Louis，Mo。：
Ithinkyouwillnothavejustcausetocomplainofmyaction。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALW。S。ROSECRANS。
WARDEPARTMENT，October4，1863。11。30A。M。
MAJOR—GENERALROSECRANS，Chattanooga，Tenn。：
Yoursofyesterdayreceived。IfwecanholdChattanoogaandEastTennessee，Ithinktherebellionmustdwindleanddie。IthinkyouandBurnsidecandothis，andhencedoingsoisyourmainobject。Ofcoursetogreatlydamageordestroytheenemyinyourfrontwouldbeagreaterobject，becauseitwouldincludetheformerandmore，butitisnotsocertainlywithinyourpower。Iunderstandthemainbodyoftheenemyisverynearyou，sonearthatyoucould\"boardathome，\"sotospeak，andmenaceorattackhimanyday。Wouldnotthedoingofthisbeyourbestmodeofcounteractinghisraidonyourcommunications？Butthisisnotanorder。Iintenddoingsomethinglikewhatyousuggestwheneverthecaseshallappearripeenoughtohaveitacceptedinthetrueunderstandingratherthanasaconfessionofweaknessandfear。
A。LINCOLN。
TOC。D。DRAKEANDOTHERS。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October5，1863。
HON。CHARLESD。DRAKEANDOTHERS，Committee。
GENTLEMEN：—Youroriginaladdress，presentedonthe30thult。，andthefoursupplementaryonespresentedonthe3dinst。，havebeencarefullyconsidered。Ihopeyouwillregardtheotherdutiesclaimingmyattention，togetherwiththegreatlengthandimportanceofthesedocuments，asconstitutingasufficientapologyfornothavingrespondedsooner。
Thesepapers，framedforacommonobject，consistofthethingsdemandedandthereasonsfordemandingthem。
ThethingsdemandedareFirst。ThatGeneralSchofieldshallberelieved，andGeneralButlerbeappointedasCommanderoftheMilitaryDepartmentofMissouri。
Second。ThatthesystemofenrolledmilitiainMissourimaybebrokenup，andnationalforceshesubstitutedforit；andThird。Thatatelectionspersonsmaynotbeallowedtovotewhoarenotentitledbylawtodoso。
Amongthereasonsgiven，enoughofsufferingandwrongtoUnionmeniscertainly，andIsupposetruly，stated。Yetthewholecase，aspresented，failstoconvincemethatGeneralSchofield，ortheenrolledmilitia，isresponsibleforthatsufferingandwrong。Thewholecanbeexplainedonamorecharitable，and，asIthink，amorerationalhypothesis。
Weareinacivilwar。Insuchcasestherealwaysisamainquestion，butinthiscasethatquestionisaperplexingcompound——
Unionandslavery。Itthusbecomesaquestionnotoftwosidesmerely，butofatleastfoursides，evenamongthosewhoarefortheUnion，sayingnothingofthosewhoareagainstit。Thus，thosewhoarefortheUnionwith，butnotwithoutslavery；thoseforitwithout，butnotwith；thoseforitwithorwithout，butpreferitwith；andthoseforitwithorwithout，butpreferitwithout。
Amongthese，again，isasubdivisionofthosewhoareforgradual，butnotforimmediate，andthosewhoareforimmediate，butnotforgradualextinctionofslavery。
Itiseasytoconceivethatalltheseshadesofopinion，andevenmore，maybesincerelyentertainedbyhonestandtruthfulmen。Yet，allbeingfortheUnion，byreasonofthesedifferenceseachwillpreferadifferentwayofsustainingtheUnion。Atonce，sincerityisquestioned，andmotivesareassailed。Actualwarcoining，bloodgrowshotandbloodisspilled。Thoughtisforcedfromoldchannelsintoconfusion。Deceptionbreedsandthrives。Confidencedies，anduniversalsuspicionreigns。Eachmanfeelsanimpulsetokillhisneighbor，lesthebekilledbyhim。Revengeandretaliationfollow。
Andallthis，asbeforesaid，maybeamonghonestmenonly。Butthisisnotall。Everyfoulbirdcomesabroad，andeverydirtyreptilerisesup。Theseaddcrimetoconfusion。Strongmeasuresdeemedindispensable，butharshatbest，suchmenmakeworsebymaladministration。Murdersforoldgrudges，andmurdersforself，proceedunderanycloakthatwillbestservefortheoccasion。
ThesecausesamplyaccountforwhathasoccurredinMissouri，withoutascribingittotheweaknessorwickednessofanygeneral。Thenewspaperfiles，thosechroniclersofcurrentevents，willshowthattheevilsnowcomplainedofwerequiteasprevalentunderFremont，Hunter，Halleck，andCurtis，asunderSchofield。Iftheformerhadgreaterforceopposedtothem，theyalsohadgreaterforcewithwhichtomeetit。WhentheorganizedrebelarmylefttheState，themainFederalforcehadtogoalso，leavingthedepartmentcommanderathomerelativelynostrongerthanbefore。Withoutdisparagingany，I
affirmwithconfidencethatnocommanderofthatdepartmenthas，inproportiontohismeans，donebetterthanGeneralSchofield。
ThefirstspecificchargeagainstGeneralSchofieldis，thattheenrolledmilitiawasplacedunderhiscommand，whereasithadnotbeenplacedunderthecommandofGeneralCurtis。Thefactis，I
believe，true；butyoudonotpointout，norcanIconceive，howthatdid，orcould，injureloyalmenortheUnioncause。
Youchargethat，GeneralCurtisbeingsupersededbyGeneralSchofield，FranklinA。DickwassupersededbyJamesO。BroadheadasProvost—MarshalGeneral。NoveryspecificshowingismadeastohowthisdidorcouldinjuretheUnioncause。Itrecalls，however，theconditionofthings，aspresentedtome，whichledtoachangeofcommanderofthatdepartment。
Torestraincontrabandintelligenceandtrade，asystemofsearches，seizures，permits，andpasses，hadbeenintroduced，Ithink，byGeneralFremont。WhenGeneralHalleckcame，hefoundandcontinuedthesystem，andaddedanorder，applicabletosomepartsoftheState，tolevyandcollectcontributionsfromnotedrebels，tocompensatelossesandrelievedestitutioncausedbytherebellion。
TheactionofGeneralFremontandGeneralHalleck，asstated，constitutedasortofsystemwhichGeneralCurtisfoundinfulloperationwhenhetookcommandofthedepartment。Thattherewasanecessityforsomethingofthesortwasclear；butthatitcouldonlybejustifiedbysternnecessity，andthatitwasliabletogreatabuseinadministration，wasequallyclear。Agentstoexecuteit，contrarytothegreatprayer，wereledintotemptation。Somemight，whileotherswouldnot，resistthattemptation。Itwasnotpossibletoholdanytoaverystrictaccountability；andthoseyieldingtothetemptationwouldsellpermitsandpassestothosewhowouldpaymostandmostreadilyforthem，andwouldseizepropertyandcollectleviesintheaptestwaytofilltheirownpockets。Moneybeingtheobject，themanhavingmoney，whetherloyalordisloyal，wouldbeavictim。Thispracticedoubtlessexistedtosomeextent，anditwas，arealadditionalevilthatitcouldbe，andwas，plausiblychargedtoexistingreaterextentthanitdid。
WhenGeneralCurtistookcommandofthedepartment，Mr。Dick，againstwhomIneverknewanythingtoallege，hadgeneralchargeofthissystem。Acontroversyinregardtoitrapidlygrewintoalmostunmanageableproportions。Onesideignoredthenecessityandmagnifiedtheevilsofthesystem，whiletheotherignoredtheevilsandmagnifiedthenecessity；andeachbitterlyassailedtheother。I
couldnotfailtoseethatthecontroversyenlargedinthesameproportionastheprofessedUnionmentheredistinctlytooksidesintwoopposingpoliticalparties。Iexhaustedmywits，andverynearlymypatiencealso，ineffortstoconvinceboththattheevilstheychargedoneachotherwereinherentinthecase，andcouldnotbecuredbygivingeitherpartyavictoryovertheother。
Plainly，theirritatingsystemwasnottobeperpetual；anditwasplausiblyurgedthatitcouldbemodifiedatoncewithadvantage。
Thecasecouldscarcelybeworse，andwhetheritcouldbemadebettercouldonlybedeterminedbyatrial。Inthisview，andnottobanorbrandGeneralCurtis，ortogiveavictorytoanyparty，Imadethechangeofcommanderforthedepartment。InowlearnthatsoonafterthischangeMr。Dickwasremoved，andthatMr。Broadhead，agentlemanofnolessgoodcharacter，wasputintheplace。Themerefactofthischangeismoredistinctlycomplainedofthanisanyconductofthenewofficer，orotherconsequenceofthechange。
Igavethenewcommandernoinstructionsastotheadministrationofthesystemmentioned，beyondwhatiscontainedintheprivateletterafterwardssurreptitiouslypublished，inwhichIdirectedhimtoactsolelyforthepublicgood，andindependentlyofbothparties。
Neitheranythingyouhavepresentedme，noranythingIhaveotherwiselearned，hasconvincedmethathehasbeenunfaithfultothischarge。
ImbecilityisurgedasonecauseforremovingGeneralSchofield；andthelatemassacreatLawrence，Kansas，ispressedasevidenceofthatimbecility。Tomymindthatfactscarcelytendstoprovetheproposition。ThatmassacreisonlyanexampleofwhatGrierson，JohnMorgan，andmanyothersmighthaverepeatedlydoneontheirrespectiveraids，hadtheychosentoincurthepersonalhazard，andpossessedthefiendishheartstodoit。
ThechargeismadethatGeneralSchofield，onpurposetoprotecttheLawrencemurderers，wouldnotallowthemtobepursuedintoMissouri。
Whilenopunishmentcouldbetoosuddenortoosevereforthosemurderers，IamwellsatisfiedthatthepreventingofthethreatenedremedialraidintoMissouriwastheonlywaytoavoidanindiscriminatemassacrethere，includingprobablymoreinnocentthanguilty。Insteadofcondemning，IthereforeapprovewhatIunderstandGeneralSchofielddidinthatrespect。
ThechargesthatGeneralSchofieldhaspurposelywithheldprotectionfromloyalpeopleandpurposelyfacilitatedtheobjectsofthedisloyalarealtogetherbeyondmypowerofbelief。Idonotarraigntheveracityofgentlemenastothefactscomplainedof，butIdomorethanquestionthejudgmentwhichwouldinferthatthosefactsoccurredinaccordancewiththepurposesofGeneralSchofield。
Withmypresentviews，ImustdeclinetoremoveGeneralSchofield。
InthisIdecidenothingagainstGeneralButler。Isincerelywishitwereconvenienttoassignhimasuitablecommand。InordertomeetsomeexistingevilsIhaveaddressedaletterofinstructionstoGeneralSchofield，acopyofwhichIenclosetoyou。
Astotheenrolledmilitia，IshallendeavortoascertainbetterthanInowknowwhatisitsexactvalue。Letmesaynow，however，thatyourproposaltosubstitutenationalforcesfortheenrolledmilitiaimpliesthatinyourjudgmentthelatterisdoingsomethingwhichneedstobedone；andifso，thepropositiontothrowthatforceawayandtosupplyitsplacebybringingotherforcesfromthefieldwheretheyareurgentlyneededseemstomeveryextraordinary。Whenceshalltheycome？ShalltheybewithdrawnfromBanks，orGrant，orSteele，orRosecrans？Fewthingshavebeensogratefultomyanxiousfeelingsaswhen，inJunelast，thelocalforceinMissouriaidedGeneralSchofieldtosopromptlysendalargegeneralforcetothereliefofGeneralGrant，theninvestingVicksburgandmenacedfromwithoutbyGeneralJohnston。Wasthisallwrong？ShouldtheenrolledmilitiathenhavebeenbrokenupandGeneralHerronkeptfromGranttopoliceMissouri？Sofarfromfindingcausetoobject，IconfesstoasympathyforwhateverrelievesourgeneralforceinMissouriandallowsittoserveelsewhere。Itherefore，asatpresentadvised，cannotattemptthedestructionoftheenrolledmilitiaofMissouri。Imayaddthat，theforcebeingunderthenationalmilitarycontrol，itisalsowithintheproclamationinregardtothehabeascorpus。
Iconcurintheproprietyofyourrequestinregardtoelections，andhave，asyousee，directedGeneralSchofieldaccordingly。IdonotfeeljustifiedtoenteruponthebroadfieldyoupresentinregardtothepoliticaldifferencesbetweenRadicalsandConservatives。FromtimetotimeIhavedoneandsaidwhatappearedtomepropertodoandsay。Thepublicknowsitall。Itobligesnobodytofollowme，andItrustitobligesmetofollownobody。TheRadicalsandConservativeseachagreewithmeinsomethingsanddisagreeinothers。Icouldwishbothtoagreewithmeinallthings，forthentheywouldagreewitheachother，andwouldbetoostrongforanyfoefromanyquarter。They，however，choosetodootherwise；andIdonotquestiontheirright。Itooshalldowhatseemstobemyduty。
IholdwhoevercommandsinMissouriorelsewhereresponsibletomeandnottoeitherRadicalsorConservatives。Itismydutytohearall，butatlastImust，withinmysphere，judgewhattodoandwhattoforbear。
Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN。
APPROVALOFTHEDECISIONOFTHECOURTINTHE
CASEOFDR。DAVIDM。WRIGHT。
WARDEPARTMENT，ADJUTANT—GENERALSOFFICE，WASHINGTON，October8，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALJ。G。FOSTER，CommandingDepartmentofVirginiaandNorthCarolina，FortMonroe，Va。
SIR：——TheproceedingsofthemilitarycommissioninstitutedforthetrialofDavidWright，ofNorfolk，inSpecialOrdersNos。195，196，and197，of1863，fromheadquartersDepartmentofVirginia，havebeensubmittedtothePresidentoftheUnitedStates。Thefollowingarehisremarksonthecase：
Uponthepresentationoftherecordinthiscaseandtheexaminationthereof，aidedbythereportthereonoftheJudge—Advocate—General，andonfullhearingofcounselfortheaccused，beingspecifiedthatnoproperquestionremainedopenexceptastothesanityoftheaccused，Icausedaveryfullexaminationtobemadeonthatquestion，uponagreatamountofevidence，includingalleffortbythecounselforaccused，byanexpertofhighreputationinthatprofessionaldepartment，whothereonreportstome，ashisopinion，thattheaccused，Dr。DavidM。Wright，wasnotinsanepriortooronthe11thdayofJuly，1863，thedateofthehomicideofLieutenantSanborn；thathehasnotbeeninsanesince，andisnotinsanenowOct。7，1863。Ithereforeapprovethefindingandsentenceofthemilitarycommission，anddirectthatthemajor—generalincommandofthedepartmentincludingtheplaceoftrial，andwhereintheconvictisnowincustody，appointatimeandplaceandcarrysuchsentenceintoexecution。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMEADE。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，October8，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE，ArmyofPotomac：
IamappealedtoinbehalfofAugustBlittersdorf，atMitchell’sStation，Va。，tobeshotto—morrowasadeserter。Iamunwillingforanyboyundereighteentobeshot，andhisfatheraffirmsthatheisyetundersixteen。Pleaseanswer。Hisregimentorcompanynotgivenme。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMEADE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October8，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE，ArmyofPotomac：
TheboytelegraphsfromMitchell’sStation，Va。ThefatherthinksheisintheOnehundredandnineteenthPennsylvaniaVolunteers。Thefathersignsthename\"Blittersdorf。\"Icantellnomore。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMEADE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October12，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE，ArmyofPotomac：
ThefatherandmotherofJohnMurphy，oftheOnehundredandnineteenthPennsylvaniaVolunteers，havefiledtheirownaffidavitsthathewasbornJune22，1846，andalsotheaffidavitsofthreeotherpersonswhoallswearthattheyrememberedthecircumstancesofhisbirthandthatitwasintheyear1846，thoughtheydonotremembertheparticularday。Itherefore，onaccountofhistenderage，haveconcludedtopardonhim，andtoleaveittoyourselfwhethertodischargehimorcontinuehimintheservice。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOW。S。ROSECRANS。
[Cipher。]
WARDEPARTMENT，October12，1863。8。35A。M。
MAJOR—GENERALROSECRANS，Chattanooga，Term。：
AsIunderstand，Burnsideismenacedfromthewest，andsocannotgotoyouwithoutsurrenderingEastTennessee。InowthinktheenemywillnotattackChattanooga，andIthinkyouwillhavetolookoutforhismakingaconcentrateddriveatBurnside。YouandBurnsidenowhavehimbythethroat，andhemustbreakyourholdorperishI
thereforethinkyoubettertrytoholdtheroaduptoKingston，leavingBurnsidetowhatisabovethere。Shermaniscomingtoyou，thoughgapsinthetelegraphpreventourknowinghowfarheisadvanced。HeandHookerwillsosupportyouonthewestandnorthwestastoenableyoutolookeastandnortheast。Thisisnotanorder。GeneralHalleckwillgivehisviews。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。G。MEADE。
WASHINGTON，October12，1863。9A。M。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE：
Whatnewsthismorning？AdespatchfromRosecrans，leavinghimat7。30P。M。yesterday，says：
\"RebelrumorsthatheadofEwell’scolumnreachedDaltonyesterday。\"
Isendthisforwhatitisworth。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOWAYNEMcVEIGH。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October13，1863。
McVEIGH，Philadelphia：
Theenemysomedaysagomadeamovement，apparentlytoturnGeneralMeade’sright。ThisledtoamaneuveringofthetwoarmiesandtoprettyheavyskirmishingonSaturday，Sunday，andMonday。WehavefrequentdespatchesfromGeneralMeadeandupto10o’clocklastnightnothinghadhappenedgivingeithersideanymarkedadvantage。
Ourarmyreportedtobeinexcellentcondition。ThetelegraphisopentoGeneralMeade’scampthismorning，butwehavenottroubledhimforadespatch。
A。LINCOLN。
TOTHURLOWWEED。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October14，1863。
HON。THURLOWWEED。
DEARSIR：——Ihavebeenbroughttofearrecentlythatsomehow，bycommissionoromission，Ihavecausedyousomedegreeofpain。I
haveneverentertainedanunkindfeelingoradisparagingthoughttowardyou；andifIhavesaidordoneanythingwhichhasbeenconstruedintosuchunkindnessordisparagement，ithasbeenmisconstrued。IamsureifwecouldmeetwewouldnotpartwithanyunpleasantimpressionOneitherside。
Yoursasever，A。LINCOLN。
TOL。B。TODD。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，October15，1863。
L。B。TODD，Lexington，Ky。：
Isendthefollowingpasstoyourcare。
A。LINCOLN。
AIDTOMRS。HELM，MRS。LINCOLN’SSISTER
WASHINGTON，D。C……October15，1863。
ToWHOMITMAYCONCERN：
AllowMRS。RobertS。Todd，widow，togosouthandbringherdaughter，MRS。GeneralB。HardinHelm，withherchildren，northtoKentucky。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALFOSTER。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，October15，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALFOSTER，FortMonroe，Va。：
PostponetheexecutionofDr。WrighttoFridaythe23dinstantOctober。Thisisintendedforhispreparationandisfinal。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMEADE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October15，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE，ArmyofPotomac：
Onthe4thinstantyoutelegraphedmethatPrivateDanielHanson，ofNinety—seventhNewYorkVolunteers，hadnotyetbeentried。Whenheshallbe，pleasenotifymeoftheresult，withabriefstatementofhiscase，ifhebeconvicted。GustaveBlittersdorf，whoyousayisenlistedintheOnehundredandnineteenthPennsylvaniaVolunteersasWilliamFox，isproventometobeonlyfifteenyearsoldlastJanuary。Ipardonhim，andyouwilldischargehimorputhimintheranksatyourdiscretion。MathiasBrown，ofNineteenthPennsylvaniaVolunteers，isproventometobeeighteenlastMay，andhisfriendssayheisconvictedonanenlistmentandforadesertionbothbeforethattime。Ifthislastbetrueheispardoned，tobekeptordischargedasyouplease。Ifnottruesuspendhisexecutionandreportthefactsofhiscase。Didyoureceivemydespatchof12thpardoningJohnMurphy？
A。LINCOLN。
[TheLincolnpapersduringthistimehaveasuspendedexecutiononalmosteveryotherpage，IhaveomittedmostoftheseD。W。]
TELEGRAMTOT。W。SWEENEY。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，October16，1863。
THOMASW。SWEENEY，Continental，Philadelphia：
Tadisteasingmetohaveyouforwardhispistoltohim。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOT。C。DURANT。
WASHINGTON，D。C。，October16，1863。
T。C。DURANT，NewYork：
Irememberreceivingnothingfromyouofthe10th，andIdonotcomprehendyourdespatchofto—day。InfactIdonotremember，ifI
everknew，whoyouare，andIhaveverylittleconceptionastowhatyouaretelegraphingabout。
A。LINCOLN。
COMMENTONANOTE。
NEWYORK，October15，1863。
DEARSIR：OnthepointofleavingIamtold，byagentlemantowhosestatementsIattachcredit，thattheoppositionpolicyforthePresidentialcampaignwillbeto\"abstainfromvoting。\"
J。
[Comment。]
Morelikelytoabstainfromstopping，oncetheygetatit，untiltheyshallhavevotedseveraltimeseach。
October16。
A。L。
TOGENERALH。W。HALLECK。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October16，1863。
MAJORGENERALHALLECK：
IdonotbelieveLeecanhaveover60，000effectivemen。
Longstreet’scorpswouldnotbesentawaytobringanequalforcebackuponthesameroad；andthereisnootherdirectionforthemtohavecomefrom。
Doubtless，inmakingthepresentmovement，Leegatheredinallavailablescraps，andaddedthemtoHill’sandEwell’scorps；butthatisall，andhemadethemovementinthebeliefthatfourcorpshadleftGeneralMeade；andGeneralMeade’sapparentlyavoidingacollisionwithhimhasconfirmedhiminthatbelief。IfGeneralMeadecannowattackhimonafieldnoworsethanequalforus，andwilldosonowwithalltheskillandcouragewhichhe，hisofficers，andmenpossess，thehonorwillbehisifhesucceeds，andtheblamemaybemineifhefails。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
CALLFOR300，000VOLUNTEERS，OCTOBER17，1863。
BYTHEPRESIDENTOFTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA：
AProclamation。
WhereasthetermofserviceofapartoftheVolunteerforcesoftheUnitedStateswillexpireduringthecomingyear；andwhereas，inadditiontothemenraisedbythepresentdraft，itisdeemedexpedienttocalloutthreehundredthousandvolunteerstoserveforthreeyearsorduringthewar，not，however，exceedingthreeyears：
Now，therefore，I，AbrahamLincoln，PresidentoftheUnitedStates，andCommander—in—ChiefoftheArmyandNavythereof，andofthemilitiaoftheseveralStateswhencalledintoactualservice，doissuethismyproclamation，callinguponthegovernorsofthedifferentStatestoraise，andhaveenlistedintotheUnitedStatesservice，forthevariouscompaniesandregimentsinthefieldfromtheirrespectiveStates，thequotasofthreehundredthousandmen。
Ifurtherproclaimthatallthevolunteersthuscalledoutanddulyenlistedshallreceiveadvancepay，premium，andbounty，asheretoforecommunicatedtothegovernorsofStatesbytheWarDepartmentthroughtheProvost—Marshal—General’soffice，byspecialletters。
Ifurtherproclaimthatallvolunteersreceivedunderthiscall，aswellasallothersnotheretoforecredited，shallbedulycreditedanddeductedfromthequotasestablishedforthenextdraft。
IfurtherproclaimthatifanyStateshallfailtoraisethequotaassignedtoitbytheWarDepartmentunderthiscall，thenadraftforthedeficiencyinsaidquotashallbemadeinsaidState，orinthedistrictsofsaidState，fortheirdueproportionofsaidquota，andthesaiddraftshallcommenceonthe5thdayofJanuary，1864。
AndIfurtherproclaimthatnothinginthisproclamationshallinterferewithexistingorders，orwiththosewhichmaybeissuedforthepresentdraftintheStateswhereitisnowinprogress，orwhereithasnotyetbeencommenced。
ThequotasoftheStatesanddistrictswillbeassignedbytheWarDepartmentthroughtheProvost—Marshal—General’soffice，dueregardbeinghadforthemenheretoforefurnished，whetherbyvolunteeringordrafting；andtherecruitingwillbeconductedinaccordancewithsuchinstructionsashavebeenormaybeissuedbythatdepartment。
Inissuingthisproclamation，IaddressmyselfnotonlytothegovernorsoftheseveralStates，butalsotothegoodandloyalpeoplethereof，invokingthemtolendtheircheerful，willing，andeffectiveaidtothemeasuresthusadopted，withaviewtoreinforceourvictoriousarmynowinthefield，andbringourneedfulmilitaryoperationstoaprosperousend，thusclosingforeverthefountainsofseditionandcivilwar。
Inwitnesswhereof，IhavehereuntosetmyhandandcausedthesealoftheUnitedStatestobeaffixed……
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
BythePresident：
WILLIAMH。SEWARD，SecretaryofState。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALFOSTER。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，October17，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALFOSTER，PortMonroe，Va。：
ItwouldbeuselessforMrs。Dr。Wrighttocomehere。Thesubjectisaverypainfulone，butthecaseissettled。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOW。B。THOMAS
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C。，OCTOBER17，1863
HON。WILLIAMB。THOMAS，Philadelphia，Pa。
Iamgratefulforyourofferof100，000men，butasatpresentadvisedIdonotconsiderthatWashingtonisindanger，orthatthereisanyemergencyrequiring60or90daysmen。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOJ。WILLIAMSANDN。G。TAYLOR。
WARDEPARTMENT，October17，1863。
JOHNWILLIAMSANDNG。TAYLOR，Knoxville，Tenn。：
YoudonotestimatetheholdingofEastTennesseemorehighlythanI
do。Thereisnoabsolutepurposeofwithdrawingourforcesfromit，andonlyacontingentonetowithdrawthemtemporarilyforthepurposeofnotlosingthepositionpermanently。Iamingreathopeofnotfindingitnecessarytowithdrawthematall，particularlyifyouraisenewtroopsrapidlyforusthere。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOT。C。DURANT。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTONCITY，October18，1863。
T。C。DURANT，NewYork：
AsIdowithothers，soIwilltrytoseeyouwhenyoucome。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALW。S。ROSECRANS。
WARDEPARTMENT，October19，1863。9。A。M。
MAJOR—GENERALROSECRANS，Chattanooga，Tenn：
TherehasbeennobattlerecentlyatBullRun。Isupposewhatyouhaveheardarumorofwasnotageneralbattle，butan\"affair\"atBristowStationontherailroad，afewmilesbeyondManassasJunctiontowardtheRappahannock，onWednesday，the14th。ItbeganbyanattackoftheenemyuponGeneralWarren，andendedintheenemybeingrepulsedwithalossoffourcannonandfromfourtosevenhundredprisoners。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALR。C。SCHENCK。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October21，1863。2。45
MAJOR—GENERALSCHENCK，Baltimore，Md。：
Adelegationisheresayingthatourarmedcoloredtroopsareatmany，ifnotall，thelandingsonthePatuxentRiver，andbytheirpresencewitharmsintheirhandsarefrighteningquietpeopleandproducinggreatconfusion。Havetheybeensenttherebyanyorder，andifso，forwhatreason？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALR。C。SCHENCK。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October22，1863。1。30P。M。
MAJOR—GENERALSCHENCK，Baltimore，Md。：
Pleasecomeoverhere。ThefactofoneofourofficersbeingkilledonthePatuxentisaspecimenofwhatIwouldavoid。Itseemstomewecouldsendwhitementorecruitbetterthantosendnegroesandthusinauguratehomicidesonpunctilio。
Pleasecomeover。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALH。W。HALLECK。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October24，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALHALLECK：
Takingallourinformationtogether，IthinkitprobablethatEwell’scorpshasstartedforEastTennesseebywayofAbingdon，marchinglastMonday，sayfromMeade’sfrontdirectlytotherailroadatCharlottesville。
First，theobjectofLee’srecentmovementagainstMeade；hisdestructionoftheAlexandriaandOrangeRailroad，andsubsequentwithdrawalwithoutmoremotive，nototherwiseapparent，wouldbeexplainedbythishypothesis。
Secondly，thedirectstatementofSharpe’smenthatEwellhasgonetoTennessee。
Thirdly，theIrishman’s[NorthernSpyinRichmond]statementthathehasnotgonethroughRichmond，andhisfurtherstatementofanappealmadetothepeopleatRichmondtogoandprotecttheirsalt，whichcouldonlyrefertotheworksnearAbingdon。
Fourthly，Graham’sstatementfromMartinsburgthatImbodenisinretreatforHarrisonburg。ThislastmatcheswiththeideathatLeehasretainedhiscavalry，sendingImbodenandperhapsotherscrapstojoinEwell。Uponthisprobabilitywhatistobedone？
Ifyouhaveaplanmatured，Ihavenothingtosay。Ifyouhavenot，thenIsuggestthat，withallpossibleexpedition，theArmyofthePotomacgetreadytoattackLee，andthatinthemeantimearaidshall，atallhazards，breaktherailroadatornearLynchburg。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOE。B。WASHBURNE。
PrivateandConfidential。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October26，1863。
HON。E。B。WASHBURNE。
MYDEARSIR：——Yoursofthe12thhasbeeninmyhandsseveraldays。
InclosedIsendtheleaveofabsenceforyourbrother，inasgoodformasIthinkIcansafelyputit。Withoutknowingwhetherhewouldacceptit。IhavetenderedthecollectorshipatPortland，Maine，toyourotherbrother，thegovernor。
ThankstobothyouandourfriendCampbellforyourkindwordsandintentions。Asecondtermwouldbeagreathonorandagreatlabor，which，together，perhapsIwouldnotdeclineiftendered。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOSECRETARYCHASE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October26，1863。
HON。SECRETARYOFTHETREASURY。
MYDEARSIR：——ThewriteroftheaccompanyingletterisoneofMRS。
Lincoln’snumerouscousins。Heisagrandsonof\"Milliken’sBend，\"
nearVicksburg——thatis，agrandsonofthemanwhogavenametoMilliken’sBend。HisfatherwasabrothertoMRS。Lincoln’smother。
Iknownotathingabouthisloyaltybeyondwhathesays。Supposingheisloyal，cananyofhisrequestsbegranted，andifany，whichofthem？
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
EndofVolume6
TheWritingsofAbrahamLincolnbyAbrahamLincolnVOLUME7
OPINIONONTHELOSSOF
GENERALR。H。MILROY’SDIVISION。
October27，1863。
InJunelastadivisionwassubstantiallylostatornearWinchester，Va。Atthetime，itwasunderGeneralMilroyasimmediatecommanderinthefield，GeneralSchenckasdepartmentcommanderatBaltimore，andGeneralHalleckasgeneral—in—chiefatWashington。
GeneralMilroy，asimmediatecommander，wasputinarrest，andsubsequentlyacourtofinquiryexaminedchieflywithreferencetodisobedienceoforders，andreportedtheevidence。
Theforegoingisasynopticalstatementoftheevidence，togetherwiththejudge—advocate—general’sconclusions。Thedisaster，whenitcame，wasasurprisetoall。ItwasverywellknowntoGeneralsShenckandMilroyforsometimebefore，thatGeneralHalleckthoughtthedivisionwasingreatdangerofasurpriseatWinchester；thatitwasofnoservicecommensuratewiththeriskitincurred，andthatitoughttobewithdrawn；but，althoughhemorethanonceadviseditswithdrawal，heneverpositivelyorderedit。GeneralSchenck，onthecontrary，believedtheserviceoftheforceatWinchesterwasworththehazard，andsodidnotpositivelyorderitswithdrawaluntilitwassolatethattheenemycutthewireandpreventedtheorderreachingGeneralMilroy。
GeneralMilroyseemstohaveconcurredwithGeneralSchenckintheopinionthattheforceshouldbekeptatWinchesteratleastuntiltheapproachofdanger，buthedisobeyednoorderuponthesubject。
SomequestioncanbemadewhethersomeofGeneralHalleck’sdispatchestoGeneralSchenkshouldnothavebeenconstruedtobeorderstowithdrawtheforce，andobeyedaccordingly；butnosuchquestioncanbemadeagainstGeneralMilroy。Infact，thelastorderhereceivedwastobepreparedtowithdraw，butnottoactuallywithdrawuntilfurtherorder，whichfurtherorderneverreachedhim。
Seriousblameisnotnecessarilyduetoanyseriousdisaster，andI
cannotsaythatinthiscaseanyoftheofficersaredeservingofseriousblame。Nocourt—martialisdeemednecessaryorproperinthecase。
A。LINCOLN。
TOGENERALSCHOFIELD。
PrivateandconfidentialEXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October28，1863。
GENERALJOHNM。SCHOFIELD：
TherehaverecentlyreachedtheWarDepartment，andthencebeenlaidbeforeme，fromMissouri，threecommunications，allsimilarinimportandidenticalinobject。Oneofthem，addressedtonobody，andwithoutplaceordate，buthavingthesignatureofapparentlythewriter，isaletterofeightcloselywrittenfoolscappages。Theothertwoarewrittenbyadifferentperson，atSt。Joseph，Mo。，andofthedates，respectively，October12and13，1863，andeachinclosingalargenumberofaffidavits。ThegeneralstatementsofthewholearethattheFederalandStateauthoritiesarearmingthedisloyalanddisarmingtheloyal，andthatthelatterwillallbekilledordrivenoutoftheStateunlessthereshallbeachange。Inparticular，noloyalmanwhohasbeendisarmedisnamed，buttheaffidavitsshowbynameforty—twopersonsasdisloyalwhohavebeenarmed。Theyareasfollows：[Thenamesareomitted。]
Amajorityoftheseareshowntohavebeenintherebelservice。I
believeitcouldbeshownthatthegovernmentherehasdeliberatelyarmedmorethantentimesasmanycapturedatGettysburg，tosaynothingofsimilaroperationsinEastTennessee。Thesepaperscontainaltogetherthirty——onemanuscriptpages，andonenewspaperinextenso，andyetIdonotfinditanywherechargedinthemthatanyloyalmanhasbeenharmedbyreasonofbeingdisarmed，orthatanydisloyalonehasharmedanybodybyreasonofbeingarmedbytheFederalorStateGovernment。Ofcourse，Ihavenothadtimetocarefullyexamineall；butIhavehadmostofthemexaminedandbriefedbyothers，andtheresultisasstated。Theremarkablefactthattheactualevilisyetonlyanticipated——inferred——inducesmetosupposeIunderstandthecase；butIdonotstatemyimpression，becauseImightbemistaken，andbecauseyourdutyandmineisplaininanyevent。ThelocalityofnearlyallthisseemstobeSt。
JosephandBuchananCounty。Iwishyoutogivespecialattentiontothisregion，particularlyonelectionday。Preventviolencefromwhateverquarter，andseethatthesoldiersthemselvesdonowrong。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGOVERNORJOHNSON。
[Cipher。]
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C。，October28，1863。
HON。ANDREWJOHNSON，Nashville，Tenn。：
Ifnottooinconvenient，pleasecomeatonceandhaveapersonalconversationwithme。
A。LINCOLN。
TOVICE—PRESIDENTHAMLIN。
ANACTTOREGULATETHEDUTIESOFTHECLERKOFTHEHOUSEOF
REPRESENTATIVESINPREPARINGFORTHEORGANIZATIONOFTHEHOUSE。
BeitenactedbytheSenateandHouseofRepresentativesoftheUnitedStatesofAmericainCongressassembled，that，beforethefirstmeetingofthenextCongress，andofeverysubsequentCongress，theclerkofthenextprecedingHouseofRepresentativesshallmakearolloftheRepresentativeselect，andplacethereonthenamesofallpersons，andofsuchpersonsonly，whosecredentialsshowthattheywereregularlyelectedinaccordancewiththelawsoftheirStatesrespectively，orthelawsoftheUnitedStates。
ApprovedMarch3，1863。
TOJ。W。GRIMES。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C。，October29，1863。
HON。JAMESW。GRIMES。
MYDEARSIR：——TheaboveactofCongresswaspassed，asIsuppose，forthepurposeofshuttingoutimproperapplicantsforseatsintheHouseofRepresentatives；andIfearthereissomedangerthatitwillbeusedtoshutoutproperones。Iowa，havinganentireUniondelegation，willbeoneoftheStatestheattemptwillbemade，ifuponany。TheGovernordoubtlesshasmadeoutthecertificates，andtheyarealreadyinthehandsofthemembers。Isuggestthattheycomeonwiththem；butthat，forgreatercaution，you，andperhapsMr。Harlanwithyou，consultwiththeGovernor，andhaveanadditionalsetmadeoutaccordingtotheformontheotherhalfofthissheet；andstillanotherset，ifyoucan，bystudyingthelaw，thinkofaformthatinyourjudgment，promisesadditionalsecurity，andquietlybringthewholeonwithyou，tobeusedincaseofnecessity。Letwhatyoudobekeptstill。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOP。F。LOWE。
[Cipher。]
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C。，October30，1863。
HON。F。F。LOWE，SanFrancisco，Cal。：
BelowisanactofCongress，passedlastsession，intendedtoexcludeapplicantsnotentitledtoseats，butwhich，thereisreasontofear，willbeusedtoexcludesomewhoareentitled。PleasegetwiththeGovernorandoneortwootherdiscreetfriends，studytheactcarefully，andmakecertificatesmtwoorthreeforms，accordingtoyourbestjudgement，andhavethemsenttome，soastomultiplythechancesofthedelegationgettingtheirseats。Letitbedonewithoutpublicity。Belowisaformwhichmayanswerforone。IfyoucouldprocurethesametobedonefortheOregonmemberitmightbewell。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMEADE。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C。，October30，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE，ArmyofPotomac：
Muchobligedfortheinformationaboutdeserterscontainedinyourdispatchofyesterday，whileIhavetobegyourpardonfortroublingyouinregardtosomeofthem，when，asitappearsbyyours，Ihadthemeansofansweringmyownquestions。
A。LINCOLN。
MEMORANDUM。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，October31，1863。
TheProvost—Marshal—Generalhasissuednoproclamationatall。HehasinnoformannouncedanythingrecentlyinregardtotroopsinNewYork，exceptinhislettertoGovernorSeymourofOctober21，whichhasbeenpublishedinthenewspapersofthatState。IthasnotbeenannouncedordecidedinanyformbytheProvost—Marshal—General，oranyoneelseinauthorityoftheGovernment，thateverycitizenwhohaspaidhisthreehundreddollarscommutationisliabletobeimmediatelydraftedagain，orthattownsthathavejustraisedthemoneytopaytheirquotaswillhaveagaintobesubjecttosimilartaxationorsuffertheoperationsofthenewconscription，noritisprobablethatthelikeofthemeverwillbeannouncedordecided。
TELEGRAMTOW。H。SEWARD。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，November1，1863。
HON。W。H。SEWARD，Auburn，N。Y。：
Noimportantnews。DetailsofHooker’snightfightdogreatcredittohiscommand，andparticularlytotheEleventhCorpsandGeary’spartoftheTwelfth。Nodiscreditonany。
A。LINCOLN。
TOPOSTMASTER—GENERALBLAIR。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，November2，1863。
HON。MONTGOMERYBLAIR。
MYDEARSIR：——SomedaysagoIunderstoodyoutosaythatyourbrother，GeneralFrankBlair，desirestobeguidedbymywishesastowhetherhewilloccupyhisseatinCongressorremaininthefield。
Mywish，then，iscompoundedofwhatIbelievewillbebestforthecountry；anditisthathewillcomehere，puthismilitarycommissioninmyhands，takehisseat，gointocaucuswithourfriends，abidethenominations，helpelectthenominees，andthusaidtoorganizeaHouseofRepresentativeswhichwillreallysupporttheGovernmentinthewar。IftheresultshallbetheelectionofhimselfasSpeaker，lethimserveinthatposition。Ifnot，lethimretakehiscommissionandreturntothearmyforthebenefitofthecountry。
Thiswillhealadangerousschismforhim。Itwillrelievehimfromadangerouspositionoramisunderstanding，asIthinkheisindangerofbeingpermanentlyseparatedfromthosewithwhomonlyhecaneverhavearealsympathy——thesincereopponentsofslavery。
Itwillbeamistakeifheshallallowtheprovocationsofferedhimbyinsinceretime—serverstodrivehimfromthehouseofhisownbuilding。Heisyoungyet。Hehasabundanttalents——quiteenoughtooccupyallhistimewithoutdevotinganytotemper。
Heisrisinginmilitaryskillandusefulness。Hisrecentappointmenttothecommandofacorps，byonesocompetenttojudgeasGeneralSherman，provesthis。InthatlinehecanserveboththecountryandhimselfmoreprofitablythanhecouldasamemberofCongressuponthefloor。
TheforegoingiswhatIwouldsayifFrankBlairwasmybrotherinsteadofyours。
Yourstruly，A。LINCOLN。
TOGOVERNORBRADFORD。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，November2，1863。
HisEXCELLENCYA。W。BRADFORD，GovernorofMaryland。
SIR：——Yoursofthe31stult。wasreceivedyesterdayaboutnoon，andsincethenIhavebeengivingmostearnestattentiontothesubject—
matterofit。AtmycallGeneralSchenckhasattended，andheassuresmeitisalmostcertainthatviolencewillbeusedatsomeofthevotingplacesonelectiondayunlesspreventedbyhisprovost—
guards。HesaysthatatsomeofthoseplacesUnionvoterswillnotattendatall，orrunaticket，unlesstheyhavesomeassuranceofprotection。ThismakestheMissouricase，ofmyactioninregardtowhichyouexpressyourapproval。
TheremainingpointofyourletterisaprotestagainstanypersonofferingtovotebeingputtoanytestnotfoundinthelawsofMaryland。ThisbringsustoadifferencebetweenMissouriandMaryland。WiththesamereasoninbothStates，Missourihas，bylaw，providedatestforthevoterwithreferencetothepresentrebellion，whileMarylandhasnot。Forexample，GeneralTrimble，capturedfightingusatGettysburg，is，withoutrecantinghistreason，alegalvoterbythelawsofMaryland。EvenGeneralSchenck’sorderadmitshimtovote，ifherecantsuponoath。Ithinkthatischeapenough。MyorderinMissouri，whichyouapprove，andGeneralScherick’sorderhere，reachpreciselythesameend。Bachassurestherightofvotingtoallloyalmen，andwhetheramanisloyal，eachallowsthatmantofixbyhisownoath。Yoursuggestionthatnearlyallthecandidatesareloyal，Idonotthinkquitemeetsthecase。Inthisstruggleforthenation’slife，Icannotsoconfidentlyrelyonthosewhoseelectionsmayhavedependedupondisloyalvotes。Suchmen，whenelected，mayprovetrue；butsuchvotesaregiventhemintheexpectationthattheywillprovefalse。
NordoIthinkthattokeepthepeaceatthepolls，andtopreventthepersistentlydisloyalfromvoting，constitutesjustcauseofoffensetoMaryland。Ithinkshehasherownexampleforit。IfI
mistakenot，itispreciselywhatGeneralDixdidwhenyourExcellencywaselectedGovernor。
IrevokethefirstofthethreepropositionsinGeneralSchenek’sGeneralOrderNo。53；notthatitiswronginprinciple，butbecausethemilitary，beingofnecessityexclusivejudgesastowhoshallbearrested，theprovisionistooliabletoabuse。FortherevokedpartIsubstitutethefollowing：
That，allprovost—marshalsandothermilitaryofficersdopreventalldisturbanceandviolenceatoraboutthepolls，whetherofferedbysuchpersonsasabovedescribed，orbyanyotherpersonorpersonswhomsoever。
TheothertwopropositionsoftheorderIallowtostand。GeneralSchenekisfullydetermined，andhasmystrictordersbesides，thatallloyalmenmayvote，andvoteforwhomtheyplease。
Yourobedientservant，A。LINCOLN。
TOJ。H。HACKETT
[Private。]
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，November2，1863。
JAMESH。HACKETT。
MYDEARSIR：——YoursofOctober22disreceived，asalsowas，induecourse，thatofOctober3d。IlookforwardwithpleasuretothefulfillmentofthepromisemadeintheformertovisitWashingtonthefollowingwinterandto\"call。\"
Giveyourselfnouneasinessonthesubjectmentionedinthatofthe22d。MynotetoyouIcertainlydidnotexpecttoseeinprint，yetIhavenotbeenmuchshockedbythenewspapercommentsuponit。
Thosecommentsconstituteafairspecimenofwhathasoccurredtomethroughlife。Ihaveenduredagreatdealofridicule，withoutmuchmalice；andhavereceivedagreatdealofkindnessnotquitefreefromridicule。Iamusedtoit。
TELEGRAMTOW。H。SEWARD。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTONCITY，November3，1863。
HON。W。H。SEWARD，Auburn，N。Y。：
Nothingnew。Dispatchesupto12lastnightfromChattanoogashowallquietanddoingwell。Howisyourson？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMEADE
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，November3，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE，ArmyofPotomac：
SamuelWellers，privateinCompanyB，Forty—ninthPennsylvaniaVolunteers，writesthatheistobeshotfordesertiononthe6thinstant。Hisownstoryisratherabadone，andyethetellsitsofrankly，thatIamsomewhatinterestedinhim。Hashebeenagoodsoldierexceptthedesertion？Abouthowoldishe？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALMEADE。
EXECUTIVE，MANSION
WASHINGTON，D。C。，November5，1863。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE，ArmyofPotomac：
PleasesuspendtheexecutionofSamuelWellers，Forty—ninthPennsylvaniaVolunteers，untilfurtherorders。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALA。E。BURNSIDE。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，November9，1863。4P。M。
MAJOR—GENERALBURNSIDE，Knoxville，Tenn。：
HaveseendispatchfromGeneralGrantaboutyourlossatRogersville。
Percontra，aboutthesametime，AverellandDufflegotconsiderableadvantageoftheenemyatandaboutLewisburg，Virginia：andonSaturday，theseventh，MeadedrovetheenemyfromRappahannockStationandKelly’sFord，capturingeightbattle—flags，fourguns，andover1800prisoners，withverylittlelosstohimself。Letmehearfromyou。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALG。G。MEADE。
WASHINGTON，November9，18637。30P。M。
MAJOR—GENERALMEADE：
IhaveseenyourdispatchesaboutoperationsontheRappahannockonSaturday，andIwishtosay，\"Welldone！\"Dothe1500prisonersreportedbyGeneralSedgwickincludethe400takenbyGeneralFrench，ordotheWholeamountto1900？
A。LINCOLN。
ORDERCONCERNINGTHEEXPORTOFTOBACCOPURCHASEDBYFOREIGNNATIONS。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，November10，1863。
Inconsiderationofthepeculiarcircumstancesandpursuanttothecomitydeemedtobeduetofriendlypowers，anytobaccointheUnitedStatesbelongingtothegovernmenteitherofFrance，Austria，oranyotherstatewithwhichthiscountryisatpeace，andwhichtobaccowaspurchasedandpaidforbysuchgovernmentpriortothe4thdayofMarch，1861，maybeexportedfromanyportoftheUnitedStatesunderthesupervisionandupontheresponsibilityofnavalofficersofsuchgovernmentsandinconformitytosuchregulationsasmaybepresentedbytheSecretaryofStateoftheUnitedStates，andnototherwise。
ABRAHAMLINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALSCHOFIELD。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，November10，1863。
GENERALSCHOFIELD，SaintLouis，Mo。：
IseeadispatchherefromSaintLouis，whichisalittledifficultformetounderstand。Itsays\"GeneralSchofieldhasrefusedleaveofabsencetomembersinmilitaryservicetoattendthelegislature。
Allsuchareradicalandadministrationmen。TheelectionoftwoSenatorsfromthisplaceonThursdaywillprobablyturnuponthisthing。\"whatdoesthismean？Ofcoursemembersofthelegislationmustbeallowedtoattenditssessions。Buthowisthereasessionbeforetherecentelectionreturnsarein？Andhowisittobeat\"thisplace\"——andthatisSaintLouis？Pleaseinformme。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOGENERALSCHOFIELD。
WARDEPARTMENT，WASHINGTON，D。C。，November11，1863。
GENERALSCHOFIELD，SaintLouis，Mo。：
IbelievetheSecretaryofWarhastelegraphedyouaboutmembersofthelegislation。Atallevents，allowthoseintheservicetoattendthesession，andwecanafterwarddecidewhethertheycanstaythroughtheentiresession。
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOHIRAMBARNEY。
[Cipher。]
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C。，November11，1863。
HON。HIRAMBARNEY，NewYork；
Iwouldlikeaninterviewwithyou。Canyounotcome？
A。LINCOLN。
TELEGRAMTOJ。MILDERBORGER。
EXECUTIVEMANSION，WASHINGTON，D。C。，November11，1863。