A. Lincoln,
President United States.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL McCLELLAN.

Washington, May 24, 1862. 4 PM.

Major-general G. B. McCLELLAN: 

In consequence of General Banks’s critical position, I have been compelled to suspend General McDowell’s movements to join you.  The enemy are making a desperate push upon Harper’s Ferry, and we are trying to throw General Fremont’s force and part of General McDowell’s in their rear.

A. Lincoln, President.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL McCLELLAN

Washington May 24, 1862.

Major-general George B. McCLELLAN: 

I left General McDowell’s camp at dark last evening.  Shields’s command is there, but it is so worn that he cannot move before Monday morning, the 26th.  We have so thinned our line to get troops for other places that it was broken yesterday at Front Royal, with a probable loss to us of one regiment infantry, two Companies cavalry, putting General Banks in some peril.

The enemy’s forces under General Anderson now opposing General McDowell’s advance have as their line of supply and retreat the road to Richmond.

If, in conjunction with McDowell’s movement against Anderson, you could send a force from your right to cut off the enemy’s supplies from Richmond, preserve the railroad bridges across the two forks of the Pamunkey, and intercept the enemy’s retreat, you will prevent the army now opposed to you from receiving an accession of numbers of nearly 15,000 men; and if you succeed in saving the bridges you will secure a line of railroad for supplies in addition to the one you now have.  Can you not do this almost as well as not while you are building the Chickahominy bridges?  McDowell and Shields both say they can, and positively will, move Monday morning.  I wish you to move cautiously and safely.

You will have command of McDowell, after he joins you, precisely as you indicated in your long despatch to us of the 21st.

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL RUFUS SAXTON.

War department, May, 24 1862. 2 P.M.

General Saxton: 

Geary reports Jackson with 20,000 moving from Ashby’s Gap by the Little River turnpike, through Aldie, toward Centreville.  This he says is reliable.  He is also informed of large forces south of him.  We know a force of some 15,000 broke up Saturday night from in front of Fredericksburg and went we know not where.  Please inform us, if possible, what has become of the force which pursued Banks yesterday; also any other information you have.

A. LINCOLN

TELEGRAM TO COLONEL D. S. MILES.