TELEGRAM FROM GENERAL HALLECK

To general G. B. McCLELLAN.,
Washington, D. C., October 6, 1862.

Major-general McCLELLAN: 

I am instructed to telegraph you as follows:  The President directs that you cross the Potomac and give battle to the enemy, or drive him south.  Your army must move now, while the roads are good.  If you cross the river between the enemy and Washington, and cover the latter by your operation, you can be reinforced by thirty thousand men.  If you move up the valley of the Shenandoah, not more than twelve or fifteen thousand can be sent you.  The President advises the interior line between Washington and the enemy, but does not order it.  He is very desirous that your army move as soon as possible.  You will immediately report what line you adopt, and when you intend to cross the river; also to what point the reinforcements are to be sent.  It is necessary that the plan of your operations be positively determined on, before orders are given for building bridges and repairing railroads.  I am directed to add that the Secretary of War and the General-in-chief fully concur with the President in these directions.

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

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL McCLELLAN.

Executive Mansion, Washington, October 7, 1862.

Major-general McCLELLAN, Hdqs.  Army of the Potomac: 

You wish to see your family and I wish to oblige you.  It might be left to your own discretion; certainly so, if Mrs. M. could meet you here at Washington.

A. Lincoln.

TO T. H. CLAY.

War department, October 8, 1862.

Thomas H. Clay, Cincinnati, Ohio: 

You cannot have reflected seriously when you ask that I shall order General Morgan’s command to Kentucky as a favor because they have marched from Cumberland Gap.  The precedent established by it would evidently break up the whole army.  Buell’s old troops, now in pursuit of Bragg, have done more hard marching recently; and, in fact, if you include marching and fighting, there are scarcely any old troops east or west of the mountains that have not done as hard service.  I sincerely wish war was an easier and pleasanter business than it is; but it does not admit of holidays.  On Morgan’s command, where it is now sent, as I understand, depends the question whether the enemy will get to the Ohio River in another place.

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT.

Washington, D.C., October 8, 1862

Major-general grant: 

I congratulate you and all concerned in your recent battles and victories.  How does it all sum up?  I especially regret the death of General Hackleman, and am very anxious to know the condition of General Oglesby, who is an intimate personal friend.