My dear sir:—­The lady bearer of this says she has two sons who want to work.  Set them at it if possible.  Wanting to work is so rare a want that it should be encouraged.

Yours truly,

A. Lincoln.

TO GENERAL THOMAS W. SHERMAN.

Washington, October 18, 1861.

General Thomas Sherman, Annapolis, Md.: 

Your despatch of yesterday received and shown to General McClellan.  I have promised him not to direct his army here without his consent.  I do not think I shall come to Annapolis.

A. Lincoln.

TO GENERAL CURTIS, WITH INCLOSURES.

Washington, October 24, 1861

Brigadier-general S. R. Curtis.

My dear sir:—­Herewith is a document—­half letter, half order—­which, wishing you to see, but not to make public, I send unsealed.  Please read it and then inclose it to the officer who may be in command of the Department of the West at the time it reaches him.  I cannot now know whether Fremont or Hunter will then be in command.

Yours truly,

A. Lincoln.

WASHINGTON, October 24, 1861

Brigadier-general S. R. Curtis.

Dear sir:—­On receipt of this, with the accompanying inclosures, you will take safe, certain, and suitable measures to have the inclosure addressed to Major-General Fremont delivered to him with all reasonable despatch, subject to these conditions only:  that if, when General Fremont shall be reached by the messenger—­yourself or any one sent by you—­he shall then have, in personal command, fought and won a battle, or shall then be actually in a battle, or shall then be in the immediate presence of the enemy in expectation of a battle, it is not to be delivered, but held for further orders.  After, and not till after, the delivery to General Fremont, let the inclosure addressed to General Hunter be delivered to him.

Your obedient servant,

A. Lincoln.

(General Orders No. 18.) Headquarters of the army,

Washington, October 24, 1861

Major-General Fremont, of the United States Army, the present commander of the Western Department of the same, will, on the receipt of this order, call Major-General Hunter, of the United States Volunteers, to relieve him temporarily in that command, when he (Major-General Fremont) will report to general headquarters by letter for further orders.

Winfield Scott.  By command:  E. D. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant-General.

WASHINGTON, October 24, 1861

To the commander of the department of the west.