A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL N. P. BANKS.

Washington, May 30, 1862. 10.15 A.M.

Major-general banks,
Williamsport, Maryland, via Harper’s Ferry: 

If the enemy in force is in or about Martinsburg, Charlestown, and Winchester, Or any or all of them, he may come in collision with Fremont, in which case I am anxious that your force, with you and at Harper’s Ferry, should so operate as to assist Fremont if possible; the same if the enemy should engage McDowell.  This was the meaning of my despatch yesterday.

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL.

Washington, May 30, 1862. 12.40.

Major-general McDOWELL, Rectortown: 

Your despatch of to-day received and is satisfactory.  Fremont has nominally 22,000, really about 17,000.  Blenker’s division is part of it.  I have a despatch from Fremont this morning, not telling me where he is; but he says: 

“Scouts and men from Winchester represent Jackson’s force variously at 30,000 to 60,000.  With him Generals Ewell and Longstreet.”

The high figures erroneous, of course.  Do you know where Longstreet is?  Corinth is evacuated and occupied by us.

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL FREMONT.

Washington, May 30, 1862. 2.30 P.M.

Major-general Fremont, Moorefield, Virginia: 

Yours, saying you will reach Strasburg or vicinity at 5 P.M.  Saturday, has been received and sent to General McDowell, and he directed to act in view of it.  You must be up to the time you promised, if possible.

Corinth was evacuated last night, and is occupied by our troops to-day; the enemy gone south to Okolotia, on the railroad to Mobile.

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. McDOWELL.

War department Washington city, May 30, 1862.9.30 P.M.

Major-general McDOWELL, Rectortown, Va.: 

I send you a despatch just received from Saxton at Harper’s Ferry:  “The rebels are in line of battle in front of our lines.  They have nine pieces of artillery, and in position, and cavalry.  I shelled the woods in which they were, and they in return threw a large number of shells into the lines and tents from which I moved last night to take up a stronger position.  I expect a great deal from the battery on the mountain, having three 9 inch Dahlgren bearing directly on the enemy’s approaches.  The enemy appeared this morning and then retired, with the intention of drawing us on.  I shall act on the defensive, as my position is a strong one.  In a skirmish which took place this afternoon I lost one horse, The enemy lost two men killed and seven wounded.