Please read and answer this letter as though I was not President, but only a friend.  My son, now in his twenty-second year, having graduated at Harvard, wishes to see something of the war before it ends.  I do not wish to put him in the ranks, nor yet to give him a commission, to which those who have already served long are better entitled and better qualified to hold.  Could he, without embarrassment to you, or detriment to the service, go into your military family with some nominal rank, I, and not the public, furnishing his necessary means?  If no, say so without the least hesitation, because I am as anxious and as deeply interested that you shall not be encumbered as you can be yourself.

Yours truly,

A. Lincoln.

Telegram to general Dodge. 
Executive Mansion, Washington, January 19, 1865.

Major-general Dodge, Saint Louis, Mo.: 

If Mrs. Beattie, alias Mrs. Wolff, shall be sentenced to death, notify me, and postpone the execution till further order.

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL ORD.  EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 19, 1864

Major-general Ord: 

You have a man in arrest for desertion passing by the name of Stanley.  William Stanley, I think, but whose real name is different.  He is the son of so close a friend of mine that I must not let him be executed.  Please let me know what is his present and prospective condition.

A. Lincoln.

Telegram to general G. M. Dodge. 
Executive Mansion, Washington, January 24, 1865.

Major-general Dodge, St. Louis, Mo.: 

It is said an old lady in Clay County, Missouri, by name Mrs. Winifred B. Price, is about being sent South.  If she is not misbehaving let her remain.

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR JOHNSON.

Executive Mansion,
Washington, January 24, 1865.

Hon.  Andrew Johnson, Nashville, Tennessee: 

Several members of the Cabinet, with myself, considered the question, to-day, as to the time of your coming on here.  While we fully appreciate your wish to remain in Tennessee until her State government shall be completely reinaugurated, it is our unanimous conclusion that it is unsafe for you to not be here on the 4th of March.  Be sure to reach here by that time.

A. Lincoln.

REPLY TO A COMMITTEE, JANUARY 24, 1865.

Reverend sir, and ladies and gentlemen: