Major-general Wright, Cincinnati, Ohio: 

I am being appealed to from Louisville against your withdrawing troops from that place.  While I cannot pretend to judge of the propriety of what you are doing, you would much oblige me by furnishing me a rational answer to make to the governor and others at Louisville.

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. T. BOYLE.

Washington, September 12, 1862.

Major-general Boyle, Louisville, Kentucky: 

Your despatch of last evening received.  Where is the enemy which you dread in Louisville?  How near to you?  What is General Gilbert’s opinion?  With all possible respect for you, I must think General Wright’s military opinion is the better.  He is as much responsible for Louisville as for Cincinnati.  General Halleck telegraphed him on this very subject yesterday, and I telegraph him now; but for us here to control him there on the ground would be a babel of confusion which would be utterly ruinous.  Where do you understand Buell to be, and what is he doing?

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO A. HENRY.

War department, Washington, D. C, September 12, 1862.

Hon.  Alexander Henry, Philadelphia: 

Yours of to-day received.  General Halleck has made the best provision he can for generals in Pennsylvania.  Please do not be offended when I assure you that in my confident belief Philadelphia is in no danger.  Governor Curtin has just telegraphed me:  “I have advices that Jackson is crossing the Potomac at Williamsport, and probably the whole rebel army will be drawn from Maryland.”  At all events, Philadelphia is more than 150 miles from Hagerstown, and could not be reached by the rebel army in ten days, if no hindrance was interposed.

A. Lincoln.

TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. McCLELLAN.

Washington city, D.C., September 12, 1862. 5.45 PM

Major-general McCLELLAN: 

Governor Curtin telegraphs me: 
“I have advices that Jackson is crossing the Potomac at Williamsport,
and probably the whole rebel army will be down from Maryland.”

Receiving nothing from Harper’s Ferry or Martinsburg to-day, and positive information from Wheeling that the line is cut, corroborates the idea that the enemy is crossing the Potomac.  Please do not let him get off without being hurt.

A. Lincoln.

[But he did!  D.W.]

REPLY TO A COMMITTEE FROM THE RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF CHICAGO, ASKING THAT THE PRESIDENT ISSUE A PROCLAMATION OF EMANCIPATION.

September 13,1862.