Abraham Lincoln. 
Washington, D.C., May 14, 1862

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN.

Washington city, May 15, 1862.

Major-general McCLELLAN, Cumberland, Virginia: 

Your long despatch of yesterday is just received.  I will answer more fully soon.  Will say now that all your despatches to the Secretary of War have been promptly shown to me.  Have done and shall do all I could and can to sustain you.  Hoped that the opening of James River and putting Wool and Burnside in communication, with an open road to Richmond, or to you, had effected something in that direction.  I am still unwilling to take all our force off the direct line between Richmond and here.

A. Lincoln.

SPEECH TO THE 12TH INDIANA REGIMENT, MAY [15?] 1862

Soldiers, of the twelfth Indiana regiment:  It has not been customary heretofore, nor will it be hereafter, for me to say something to every regiment passing in review.  It occurs too frequently for me to have speeches ready on all occasions.  As you have paid such a mark of respect to the chief magistrate, it appears that I should say a word or two in reply.  Your colonel has thought fit, on his own account and in your name, to say that you are satisfied with the manner in which I have performed my part in the difficulties which have surrounded the nation.  For your kind expressions I am extremely grateful, but on the other hand I assure you that the nation is more indebted to you, and such as you, than to me.  It is upon the brave hearts and strong arms of the people of the country that our reliance has been placed in support of free government and free institutions.

For the part which you and the brave army of which you are a part have, under Providence, performed in this great struggle, I tender more thanks especially to this regiment, which has been the subject of good report.  The thanks of the nation will follow you, and may God’s blessing rest upon you now and forever.  I hope that upon your return to your homes you will find your friends and loved ones well and happy.  I bid you farewell.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL.

Washington, May 16, 1862.

Major-general McDOWELL: 

What is the strength of your force now actually with you?

A. Lincoln.

MEMORANDUM OF PROPOSED ADDITIONS TO INSTRUCTIONS OF ABOVE DATE TO GENERAL McDOWELL, AND GENERAL MEIGS’S INDORSEMENT THEREON.

May 17, 1862.  You will retain the separate command of the forces taken with you; but while co-operating with General McClellan you will obey his orders, except that you are to judge, and are not to allow your force to be disposed otherwise than so as to give the greatest protection to this capital which may be possible from that distance.