I therefore still advise a movement against him.  The character of that movement, however, must depend upon circumstances which may change any day and almost any hour.  If the enemy should concentrate his forces at the place you have selected for a crossing, make it a feint and try another place.  Again, the circumstances at the time may be such as to render an attempt to cross the entire army not advisable.  In that case, theory suggests that, while the enemy concentrates at that point, advantages can be gained by crossing smaller forces at other points to cut off his lines, destroy his communication, and capture his rear-guards, outposts, etc.  The great object is to occupy the enemy to prevent his making large detachments or distant raids, and to injure him all you can with the least injury to yourself.  If this can be best accomplished by feints of a general crossing and detached real crossings, take that course; if by an actual general crossing, with feints on other points, adopt that course.  There seem to me to be many reasons why a crossing at some point should be attempted.  It will not do to keep your large army inactive.  As you yourself admit, it devolves on you to decide upon the time, place, and character of the crossing which you may attempt.  I can only advise that an attempt be made, and as early as possible.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. W. Halleck,
General-in-Chief.

[Indorsement.]

January 8, 1863.

General Burnside: 

I understand General Halleck has sent you a letter of which this is a copy.  I approve this letter.  I deplore the want of concurrence with you in opinion by your general officers, but I do not see the remedy.  Be cautious, and do not understand that the government or country is driving you.  I do not yet see how I could profit by changing the command of the Army of the Potomac; and if I did, I should not wish to do it by accepting the resignation of your commission.

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON.

Executive Mansion, Washington,
January 8, 1863.

Governor Johnson, Nashville Tenn.: 

A dispatch of yesterday from Nashville says the body of Captain Todd, of the Sixth Kentucky, was brought in to-day.

Please tell me what was his Christian name, and whether he was in our service or that of the enemy.  I shall also be glad to have your impression as to the effect the late operations about Murfreesborough will have on the prospects of Tennessee.

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL S. R. CURTIS.

Executive Mansion, Washington,
January 10, 1863.

Major-general Curtis, St. Louis, Mo.: