A. Lincoln.

GENERAL McCLELLAN’S TIRED HORSES

Telegram to general G. B. McCLELLAN.

War department, Washington city, October 24 [25?], 1862.

Major-general McCLELLAN: 

I have just read your despatch about sore-tongued and fatigued horses.  Will you pardon me for asking what the horses of your army have done since the battle of Antietam that fatigues anything?

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN.

Executive Mansion Washington, October 26, 1862. 11.30am

Major-general McCLELLAN: 

Yours, in reply to mine about horses, received.  Of course you know the facts better than I; still two considerations remain:  Stuart’s cavalry outmarched ours, having certainly done more marked service on the Peninsula and everywhere since.  Secondly, will not a movement of our army be a relief to the cavalry, compelling the enemy to concentrate instead of foraging in squads everywhere?  But I am so rejoiced to learn from your despatch to General Halleck that you begin crossing the river this morning.

A. Lincoln.

TO GENERAL DIX.  (Private and confidential.)

Executive Mansion, Washington
October 26, 1862.

Major-general Dix, Fort Monroe, Virginia: 

Your despatch to Mr. Stanton, of which the enclosed is a copy, has been handed me by him.  It would be dangerous for me now to begin construing and making specific applications of the proclamation.

It is obvious to all that I therein intended to give time and opportunity.  Also, it is seen I left myself at liberty to exempt parts of States.  Without saying more, I shall be very glad if any Congressional district will, in good faith, do as your despatch contemplates.

Could you give me the facts which prompted you to telegraph?

Yours very truly,

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN.

Executive Mansion, Washington, October 27, 1862, 12.10

Major-general McCLELLAN: 

Yours of yesterday received.  Most certainly I intend no injustice to any, and if I have done any I deeply regret it.  To be told, after more than five weeks’ total inaction of the army, and during which period we have sent to the army every fresh horse we possibly could, amounting in the whole to 7918, that the cavalry horses were too much fatigued to move, presents a very cheerless, almost hopeless, prospect for the future, and it may have forced something of impatience in my despatch.  If not recruited and rested then, when could they ever be?  I suppose the river is rising, and I am glad to believe you are crossing.