an educated and talented German gentleman, as tru a man as lives. With his assistance you can set every thing right with the Germans. I write this without his knowledge, asking him at the same time, by letter, to deliver it. My clear judgment is that, with reference to the German element in your command, you should have Governor Koerner with you; and if agreeable to you and him, I will make him a brigadier-general, so that he can afford to so give his time. He does not wish to command in the field, though he has more military knowledge than many who do. If he goes into the place he will simply be an efficient, zealous, and unselfish assistant to you. I say all this upon intimate personal acquaintance with Governor Koerner. Yours very truly, A. LINCOLN. TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR. Executive Mansion, Washington, January 31, 1862. My Dear Sir:-It is my wish that the expedition commonly called the "Lane Expedition," shall be as much as has been promised at the adjutant-general's office under the supervision of General McClellan, and not any more. I have not intended, and do not now intend that it shall be a great, exhausting affair, but a snug, sober column of 10,000 or 15,000. General Lane has been told by me many times that he is under the command of General Hunter, and assented to it as often as told. It was the distinct agreement between him and me when I appointed him, that he was to be under Hunter. Yours truly, A. LINCOLN. which case the force resisting him will certainly not be confronting you at Richmond. By land he can reach you in five days after starting, whereas by water he would not reach you in two weeks, judging by past experience. Franklin's single division did not reach you in ten days after I ordered it. TO GENERAL SAXTON. A. LINCOLN. War Department, May 24, 1862, 1 P. M. 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 of 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. TO MAJOR-GENERAL FREMONT, FRANKLIN. War Department, May 24, 1862, 4 P. M. You are authorized to purchase 400 horses or take them whenever and 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. The movement must be made immediately. You will acknowledge the receipt of this order and specify the hour it was received by you. A. LINCOLN. TO MAJOR-GENERAL MCDOWELL. Washington, May 24, 1862. General Fremont has been ordered by telegraph to move to Franklin and 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 twenty thousand 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 transportation has interfered with his movement, it is believed that the force which you move will be sufficient to accomplish the object alone. The information thus far received here makes it probable that, if the enemy operates actively against General Banks, you will not be able to count upon much assistance from him, but may have even to rerelieve him. Reports received this morning are that Banks is fighting with Ewell eight miles from Harper's Ferry. A. LINCOLN. To MAJOR-GENERAL FREMONT, FRANKLIN, VA. War Department, May 24, 1862, 7:15 P. M. 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 moment. A. LINCOLN. TO MAJOR-GENERAL HALLECK, NEAR CORINTH, MISS. War Department, May 24, 1862. Several dispatches from Assistant Secretary Scott, and one from Governor Martin, 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 when 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 at 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. TO GENERAL SAXTON, HARPER'S FERRY. War Department, May 25, 1862, 4:15 P. M. If Banks reaches Martinsburg, is he any the better for it? Will not the enemy cut him off from thence to Harper's Ferry? Have you sent any thing to meet him, and assist him at Martinsburg? This is an inquiry, not an order. A. LINCOLN. To MAJOR-GENERAL MCCLELLAN. Washington, May 25, 1862, 2 P. M. The enemy is moving north in sufficient force to drive General Banks before him, precisely in what force we can not tell. He is also threatening Leesburg and Geary, on the Manassas Gap Railroad, from both north and south-in precisely what force we can not tell. I think the movement is a general and concerted one, such as would not be if he was acting upon the purpose of a very desperate defense of Richmond. I think the time is near when you must either attack Richmond, or give up the job, and come to the defense of Washington. Let me hear from you instantly. A. LINCOLN. TO MAJOR-GENERAL MCCLELLAN. Washington, May 25, 1862. Your dispatch received. General Banks was at Strasburg, with about 6,000 men, Shields having taken from him to swell a column for McDowell to aid you at Richmond, and the rest of his force scattered at various places. On the 23d, a rebel force of 7,000 to 10,000 fell upon one regiment and two companies, guarding the bridge at Front Royal, destroying it entirely, crossed the Shenandoah, and on the 24th (yesterday) pushed on to get north of Banks, on the road to Winchester. General Banks ran a race with them, beating them into Winchester yesterday evening. This morning a battle ensued between the two forces, in which General Banks was beaten back into full retreat toward Martinsburg, and probably is broken up into a total rout. Geary, on the Manassas Gap Railroad, just now reports that Jackson is now near Front Royal, with 10,000 troops, following up |