The Writings of Abraham Lincoln, vol 6 | Page 7

to get troops for other
places that it was broken yesterday at Front Royal, with a probable loss
to us of one regiment infantry, two Companies cavalry, putting General
Banks in some peril.
The enemy's forces under General Anderson now opposing General
McDowell's advance have as their line of supply and retreat the road to
Richmond.
If, in conjunction with McDowell's movement against Anderson, you
could send a force from your right to cut off the enemy's supplies from
Richmond, preserve the railroad bridges across the two forks of the
Pamunkey, and intercept the enemy's retreat, you will prevent the army
now opposed to you from receiving an accession of numbers of nearly
15,000 men; and if you succeed in saving the bridges you will secure a
line of railroad for supplies in addition to the one you now have. Can
you not do this almost as well as not while you are building the
Chickahominy bridges? McDowell and Shields both say they can, and
positively will, move Monday morning. I wish you to move cautiously
and safely.
You will have command of McDowell, after he joins you, precisely as
you indicated in your long despatch to us of the 21st.
A. LINCOLN.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL RUFUS SAXTON.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May, 24 1862. 2 P.M.
GENERAL SAXTON:

Geary reports Jackson with 20,000 moving from Ashby's Gap by the
Little River turnpike, through Aldie, toward Centreville. This he says is
reliable. He is also informed of large forces south of him. We know a
force of some 15,000 broke up Saturday night from in front of
Fredericksburg and went we know not where. Please inform us, if
possible, what has become of the force which pursued Banks yesterday;
also any other information you have.
A. LINCOLN

TELEGRAM TO COLONEL D. S. MILES.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 24, 1862. 1.30 P.M.
COLONEL MILES, Harper's Ferry, Virginia
Could you not send scouts from Winchester who would tell whether
enemy are north of Banks, moving on Winchester? What is the latest
you have?
A. LINCOLN.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. C. FREMONT.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 24, 1862. 4 P.M.
MAJOR-GENERAL FREMONT, Franklin:
You are authorized to purchase the 400 horses, or take them wherever
or however you can get them. The exposed condition of General Banks
makes his immediate relief a point of paramount importance. You are
therefore directed by the President to move against Jackson at
Harrisonburg and operate against the enemy in such way as to relieve
Banks. This movement must be made immediately. You will
acknowledge the receipt of this order, and specify the hour it is
received by you.
A. LINCOLN.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. C. FREMONT.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 24, 1862. 7.15 P.M.
MAJOR-GENERAL FREMONT, Franklin, Virginia:
Many thanks for the promptness with which you have answered that
you will execute the order. Much--perhaps all--depends upon the
celerity with which you can execute it. Put the utmost speed into it. Do

not lose a minute.
A. LINCOLN.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK.
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 24, 1862.
MAJOR-GENERAL HALLECK, near Corinth, Mississippi:
Several despatches from Assistant Secretary Scott and one from
Governor Morton asking reinforcements for you have been received. I
beg you to be assured we do the best we can. I mean to cast no blame
where I tell you each of our commanders along our line from
Richmond to Corinth supposes himself to be confronted by numbers
superior to his own. Under this pressure We thinned the line on the
upper Potomac, until yesterday it was broken with heavy loss to us, and
General Banks put in great peril, out of which he is not yet extricated,
and may be actually captured. We need men to repair this breach, and
have them not at hand. My dear General, I feel justified to rely very
much on you. I believe you and the brave officers and men with you
can and will get the victory at Corinth.
A. LINCOLN.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 24, 1862.
MAJOR-GENERAL McDOWELL, Fredricksburg:
General Fremont has been ordered by telegraph to move from Franklin
on Harrisonburg to relieve General Banks, and capture or destroy
Jackson's and Ewell's forces. You are instructed, laying aside for the
present the movement on Richmond, to put 20,000 men in motion at
once for the Shenandoah, moving on the line or in advance of the line
of the Manassas Gap railroad. Your object will be to capture the forces
of Jackson and Ewell, either in co-operation with General Fremont, or,
in case want of supplies or of transportation, interferes with his
movements, it is believed that the force which you move will be
sufficient to accomplish this object alone. The information thus far
received here makes it probable that if