or indirectly, will take Richmond without endangering any other place which we now hold, and will substantially end the war.  I expect to maintain this contest until successful, or till I die, or am conquered, or my term expires, or Congress or the country forsake me; and I would publicly appeal to the country for this new force were it not that I fear a general panic and stampede would follow, so hard it is to have a thing understood as it really is.  I think the new force should be all, or nearly all, infantry, principally because such can be raised most cheaply and quickly.

Yours very truly,

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. A. DIX.

War department, Washington, D.C., June 28,1862.

General Dix: 

Communication with McClellan by White House is cut off.  Strain every nerve to open communication with him by James River, or any other way you can.  Report to me.

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO FLAG-OFFICER L. M. GOLDSBOROUGH.

Washington, D.C., June 28, 1862.

Flag-officer Golds borough, Fort Monroe: 

Enemy has cut McClellan’s communication with White House, and is driving Stoneman back on that point.  Do what you can for him with gunboats at or near that place.  McClellan’s main force is between the Chickahominy and the James.  Also do what you can to communicate with him and support him there.

A. LINCOLN

To governor Morton.

War department, Washington, D.C. 
June 28, 1862.

Governor O. P. Morton, Indianapolis, Ind: 

Your despatch of to-day is just received.  I have no recollection of either John R. Cravens or Cyrus M. Allen having been named to me for appointment under the tax law.  The latter particularly has been my friend, and I am sorry to learn that he is not yours.  No appointment has been or will be made by me for the purpose of stabbing you.

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO SECRETARY SEWARD.

War department, June 29, 1862.6 P.M.

Hon.  William H. Seward, Astor House, New York: 

Not much more than when you left.  Fulton of Baltimore American is now with us.  He left White House at 11 A.M. yesterday.  He conversed fully with a paymaster who was with Porter’s force during the fight of Friday and fell back to nearer McClellan’s quarters just a little sooner than Porter did, seeing the whole of it; stayed on the Richmond side of the Chickahominy over night, and left for White House at 5 A.M.  Saturday.  He says Porter retired in perfect order under protection of the guns arranged