The Writings of Abraham Lincoln, vol 6 | Page 4

with the advice and
consent of the Senate, shall have the authority to detail from the retired
list of the navy for the command of squadrons and single ships such
officers as he may believe that the good of the service requires to be
thus placed in command; and such officers may, if upon the
recommendation of the President of the United States they shall receive
a vote of thanks of Congress for their services and gallantry in action
against an enemy, be restored to the active list, and not otherwise."
In conformity with this law, Captain David G. Farragut was nominated
to the Senate for continuance as the flag-officer in command of the
squadron which recently rendered such important service to the Union
by his successful operations on the lower Mississippi and capture of
New Orleans.
Believing that no occasion could arise which would more fully
correspond with the intention of the law or be more pregnant with
happy influence as an example, I cordially recommend that Captain D.
G. Farragut receive a vote of thanks of Congress for his services and
gallantry displayed in the capture since 21st December, 1861, of Forts
Jackson and St. Philip, city of New Orleans, and the destruction of
various rebel gunboats, rams, etc............

TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
I submit herewith a list of naval officers who commanded vessels
engaged in the recent brilliant operations of the squadron commanded
by Flag-officer Farragut which led to the capture of Forts Jackson and
St. Philip, city of New Orleans, and the destruction of rebel gunboats,
rams, etc., in April 1862. For their services and gallantry on those
occasions I cordially recommend that they should, by name, receive a
vote of thanks of Congress:
LIST: Captain Theodorus Bailey. Captain Henry W. Morris. Captain
Thomas T. Craven. Commander Henry H. Bell. Commander Samuel
Phillips Lee. Commander Samuel Swartwout. Commander Melancton
Smith. Commander Charles Stewart Boggs Commander John De Camp
Commander James Alden. Commander David D. Porter. Commander
Richard Wainwright. Commander William B. Renshaw. Lieutenant
Commanding Abram D. Harrell. Lieutenant Commanding Edward

Donaldson. Lieutenant Commanding George H. Preble. Lieutenant
Commanding Edward T. Nichols. Lieutenant Commanding Jonathan M.
Wainwright. Lieutenant Commanding John Guest. Lieutenant
Commanding Charles H. B. Caldwell. Lieutenant Commanding
Napoleon B. Harrison. Lieutenant Commanding Albert N. Smith.
Lieutenant Commanding Pierce Crosby. Lieutenant Commanding
George M. Ransom. Lieutenant Commanding Watson Smith.
Lieutenant Commanding John H. Russell. Lieutenant Commanding
Walter W. Queen. Lieutenant Commanding K. Randolph Breese.
Acting Lieutenant Commanding Seliin E. Woolworth. Acting
Lieutenant Commanding Charles H. Baldwin.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN. WASHINGTON, D.C., May 14, 1862

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN.
WASHINGTON CITY, May 15, 1862.
MAJOR-GENERAL McCLELLAN, Cumberland, Virginia:
Your long despatch of yesterday is just received. I will answer more
fully soon. Will say now that all your despatches to the Secretary of
War have been promptly shown to me. Have done and shall do all I
could and can to sustain you. Hoped that the opening of James River
and putting Wool and Burnside in communication, with an open road to
Richmond, or to you, had effected something in that direction. I am still
unwilling to take all our force off the direct line between Richmond and
here.
A. LINCOLN.

SPEECH TO THE 12TH INDIANA REGIMENT, MAY [15?] 1862
SOLDIERS, OF THE TWELFTH INDIANA REGIMENT: It has not
been customary heretofore, nor will it be hereafter, for me to say
something to every regiment passing in review. It occurs too frequently
for me to have speeches ready on all occasions. As you have paid such
a mark of respect to the chief magistrate, it appears that I should say a
word or two in reply. Your colonel has thought fit, on his own account
and in your name, to say that you are satisfied with the manner in
which I have performed my part in the difficulties which have
surrounded the nation. For your kind expressions I am extremely

grateful, but on the other hand I assure you that the nation is more
indebted to you, and such as you, than to me. It is upon the brave hearts
and strong arms of the people of the country that our reliance has been
placed in support of free government and free institutions.
For the part which you and the brave army of which you are a part have,
under Providence, performed in this great struggle, I tender more
thanks especially to this regiment, which has been the subject of good
report. The thanks of the nation will follow you, and may God's
blessing rest upon you now and forever. I hope that upon your return to
your homes you will find your friends and loved ones well and happy. I
bid you farewell.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL.
WASHINGTON, May