Ordered:  First, That on Monday, the fifth day of September, commencing at the hour of twelve o’clock noon, there shall be given a salute of one hundred guns at the arsenal and navy-yard, at Washington, and on Tuesday, the 6th of September, or on the day after the receipt of this order, at each arsenal and navy-yard in the United States, for the recent brilliant achievements of the fleet and land forces of the United States in the harbor of Mobile, and in the reduction of Fort Powell, Fort Gaines, and Fort Morgan.  The Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy will issue the necessary directions in their respective departments for the execution of this order.

Second, That on Wednesday, the 7th of September, commencing at the hour of twelve o’clock noon, there shall be fired a salute of one hundred guns at the arsenal at Washington, and at New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburg, Newport (Ky.), and St. Louis, and New Orleans, Mobile, and Pensacola, Hilton Head, and Newbern, the day after the receipt of this order, for the brilliant achievements of the army under command of Major-General Sherman, in the State of Georgia, and for the capture of Atlanta.  The Secretary of War will issue directions for the execution of this order.

Abraham Lincoln,
President Of the United States.

TO MRS. GURNEY.

Executive Mansion,
Washington, September 4, 1864.

Eliza P. Gurney.

My esteemed friend:—­I have not forgotten probably never shall forget the very impressive occasion when yourself and friends visited me on a Sabbath forenoon two years ago—­nor has your kind letter, written nearly a year later, even been for gotten.  In all, it has been your purpose to strengthen my reliance on God.  I am much indebted to the good Christian people of the country for their constant prayer and consolations; and to no one of them, more than to yourself.  The purposes of the Almighty are perfect, and must prevail, though we erring mortals may fail to accurately perceive them in advance.  We hoped for a happy termination of this terrible war long before this; but God knows best, and has ruled otherwise.  We shall yet acknowledge His wisdom, and our own error therein.  Mean while we must work earnestly in the best light He gives us, trusting that so working still conduces to the great ends He ordains.  Surely He intends some great good to follow this mighty convulsion, which no mortal could make, and no mortal could stay.

Your people—­the Friends—­have had, and are having, a very great trial.  On principle, and faith, opposed to both war and oppression, they can only practically oppose oppression by war.  For those appealing to me on conscientious grounds, I have done, and shall do, the best I could and can, in my own conscience, under my oath to the law.  That you believe this I doubt not, and believing it, I shall still receive, for our country and myself your earnest prayers to our Father in Heaven.