Writings of Abraham Lincoln, the

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Abraham Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN.

Washington, April 21, 1862.

Major-general McCLELLAN:

Your despatch of the 19th was received that day. Fredericksburg is evacuated and the bridges destroyed by the enemy, and a small part of McDowell’s command occupies this side of the Rappahannock, opposite the town. He purposes moving his whole force to that point.

A. Lincoln.

TO POSTMASTER-GENERAL

A. Lincoln. Executive Mansion, Washington, April 24, 1862.

Hon. Postmaster-general.

My dear sir:—The member of Congress from the district including Tiffin, O., calls on me about the postmaster at that place. I believe I turned over a despatch to you from some persons there, asking a suspension, so as for them to be heard, or something of the sort. If nothing, or nothing amounting to anything, has been done, I think the suspension might now be suspended, and the commission go forward.

Yours truly,

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN.

Washington, April 29, 1862.

Major-general McCLELLAN:

Would it derange or embarrass your operations if I were to appoint
Captain Charles Griffin a brigadier-general of volunteers? Please answer.

A. Lincoln.

MESSAGE TO THE SENATE, MAY 1, 1862.

To the Senate of the united states:

In answer to the resolution of the Senate [of April 22] in relation to Brigadier-General Stone, I have the honor to state that he was arrested and imprisoned under my general authority, and upon evidence which whether he be guilty or innocent, required, as appears to me, such proceedings to be had against him for the public safety. I deem it incompatible with the public interest, as also, perhaps, unjust to General Stone, to make a more particular statement of the evidence.

He has not been tried because, in the state of military operations at the time of his arrest and since, the officers to constitute a court martial and for witnesses could not be withdrawn from duty without serious injury to the service. He will be allowed a trial without any unnecessary delay; the charges and specifications will be furnished him in due season, and every facility for his defense will be afforded him by the War Department.

Abraham Lincoln,