Major-general L. Wallace, Commanding Middle Department: 

I am directed by the President to say that you will rally your forces and make every possible effort to retard the enemy’s march on Baltimore.

H. W. Halleck, Major-General and Chief of Staff.

Telegram to T. Swan and others. 
Washington, D. C., July 10, 1864. 9.20 A.M.

Thomas Swan and others, Baltimore, Maryland: 

Yours of last night received.  I have not a single soldier but whom is being disposed by the military for the best protection of all.  By latest accounts the enemy is moving on Washington.  They cannot fly to either place.  Let us be vigilant, but keep cool.  I hope neither Baltimore nor Washington will be sacked.

A. Lincoln.

Telegram to general U.S.  Grant. 
Washington city, July to, 1864.2 P.M.

Lieutenant-general grant, City Point, Va.: 

Your dispatch to General Halleck, referring to what I may think in the present emergency, is shown me.  General Halleck says we have absolutely no force here fit to go to the field.  He thinks that with the hundred-day men and invalids we have here we can defend Washington, and, scarcely, Baltimore.  Besides these there are about eight thousand, not very reliable, under Howe, at Harper’s Ferry with Hunter approaching that point very slowly, with what number I suppose you know better than I. Wallace, with some odds and ends, and part of what came up with Ricketts, was so badly beaten yesterday at Monocacy, that what is left can attempt no more than to defend Baltimore.  What we shall get in from Pennsylvania and New York will scarcely be worth counting, I fear.  Now, what I think is, that you should provide to retain your hold where you are, certainly, and bring the rest with you personally, and make a vigorous effort to destroy the enemy’s forces in this vicinity.  I think there is really a fair chance to do this, if the movement is prompt.  This is what I think upon your suggestion, and is not an order.

A. Lincoln.

Telegram to general U.S.  Grant. 
Washington, July 11, 1864. 8 A.M.

Lieutenant-general grant, City Point, Va.: 

Yours of 10.30 P.M. yesterday received, and very satisfactory.  The enemy will learn of Wright’s arrival, and then the difficulty will be to unite Wright and Hunter south of the enemy before he will recross the Potomac.  Some firing between Rockville and here now.

A. Lincoln.

Telegram to general U.S.  Grant. 
Washington, D. C., July 12, 1864. 11.30 Am.

Lieutenant-general grant, City Point, Va.: 

Vague rumors have been reaching us for two or three days that Longstreet’s corps is also on its way [to] this vicinity.  Look out for its absence from your front.