“I know as fully as one can know the opinions of others that some of the commanders of our armies in the field, who have given us our most important successes, believe the emancipation policy and the use of colored troops constitute the heaviest blow yet dealt to the rebellion, and that at least one of those important successes could not have been achieved when it was, but for the aid of black soldiers.  Among the commanders holding these views are some who have never had any affinity with what is called abolitionism, or with Republican party politics, but who hold them purely as military opinions.  I submit these opinions as being entitled to some weight against the objections, often urged, that emancipation and arming the blacks are unwise as military measures and were not adopted as such in good faith.”

TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS.

Executive Mansion, Washington,
August 31, 1863.

My dear general Rosecrans: 

Yours of the 22d was received yesterday.  When I wrote you before, I did not intend, nor do I now, to engage in an argument with you on military questions.  You had informed me you were impressed through General Halleck that I was dissatisfied with you, and I could not bluntly deny that I was without unjustly implicating him.  I therefore concluded to tell you the plain truth, being satisfied the matter would thus appear much smaller than it would if seen by mere glimpses.  I repeat that my appreciation of you has not abated.  I can never forget whilst I remember anything, that about the end of last year and the beginning of this, you gave us a hard-earned victory, which, had there been a defeat instead, the nation could hardly have lived over.  Neither can I forget the check you so opportunely gave to a dangerous sentiment which was spreading in the North.

Yours, as ever,

A. LINCOLN

TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK.

August 31, 1863

It is not improbable that retaliation for the recent great outrage at Lawrence, in Kansas, may extend to indiscriminate slaughter on the Missouri border, unless averted by very judicious action.  I shall be obliged if the general-in-chief can make any suggestions to General Schofield upon the subject.

A. Lincoln.

POLITICAL MOTIVATED MISQUOTATION IN NEWSPAPER

Telegram to J. C. Conkling.

Executive Mansion, Washington, September 3, 1863.

Hon.  James C. Conkling, Springfield, Ill.: 

I am mortified this morning to find the letter to you botched up in the Eastern papers, telegraphed from Chicago.  How did this happen?

A. Lincoln.

ORDER CONCERNING COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS.