I have been, and am sincerely your friend; and if, as such, I dare to make a suggestion, I would say you are adopting the best possible way to ruin yourself.  “Act well your part, there all the honor lies.”  He who does something at the head of one regiment, will eclipse him who does nothing at the head of a hundred.

Your friend, as ever,

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL HALLECK.

Washington, D.C., December 31, 1861

General H. W. Halleck, St. Louis, Missouri: 

General McClellan is sick.  Are General Buell and yourself in concert? 
When he moves on Bowling Green, what hinders it being reinforced from
Columbus?  A simultaneous movement by you on Columbus might prevent it.

A. Lincoln.

[Similar despatch to Buell same date.]

1862

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL D. C. BUELL.

Washington city, January 1, 1862

Brigadier-general Buell, Louisville: 

General McClellan should not yet be disturbed with business.  I think you better get in concert with General Halleck at once.  I write you to-night.  I also telegraph and write Halleck.

A. Lincoln.

TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK.

Executive Mansion, January 1, 1862

Dear general Halleck: 

General McClellan is not dangerously ill, as I hope, but would better not be disturbed with business.  I am very anxious that, in case of General Buell’s moving toward Nashville, the enemy shall not be greatly reinforced, and I think there is danger he will be from Columbus.  It seems to me that a real or feigned attack upon Columbus from up the river at the same time would either prevent this or compensate for it by throwing Columbus into our hands.  I wrote General Buell a letter similar to this, meaning that he and you shall communicate and act in concert, unless it be your judgment and his that there is no necessity for it.  You and he will understand much better than I how to do it.  Please do not lose time in this matter.

Yours very truly,

A. Lincoln.

TO THE PEOPLE OF MARYLAND,

In view of the recent declaration of the people of Maryland of their adhesion to the Union, so distinctly made in their recent election, the President directs that all the prisoners who having heretofore been arrested in that State are now detained in military custody by the President’s authority, be released from their imprisonment on the following conditions, namely:  that if they were holding any civil or military offices when arrested, the terms of which have expired, they shall not resume or reclaim such office; and secondly, all persons availing themselves of this proclamation shall engage by oath or parole of honor to maintain the Union and the Constitution of the United States, and in no way to aid or abet by arms, counsel, conversation, or information of any kind the existing insurrection against the Government of the United States.