TELEGRAM TO GENERAL RUFUS SAXTON WAR DEPARTMENT, May 24, 1862. I 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 also any other information you have. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO COLONEL D. S. MILES WAR DEPARTMENT, May 24, 1862. 1.30 P. M. Colonel Miles, Harper's Ferry, Virginia: Could you not send scouts from Winchester who would tell whether enemy are north of Banks, moving on Winchester? What is the latest you have? A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. C. FRÉMONT WAR DEPARTMENT, May 24, 1862. 4 P. M. Major-General Frémont, Franklin: You are authorized to purchase the 400 horses, or take them wherever or however you can get them. The exposed condition of General Banks makes his immediate relief a point of paramount importance. You are therefore directed by the President to move against Jackson at Harrisonburg and operate against the enemy in such way as to relieve Banks. This movement must be made immediately. You will acknowledge the receipt of this order, and specify the hour it is received by you. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. C. FRÉMONT WAR DEPARTMENT, May 24, 1862. 7.15 P. M. Major-General Frémont, Franklin, Virginia: Many thanks for the promptness with which you have answered that you will execute the order. Much-perhaps all-depends upon the celerity with which you can execute it. Put the utmost speed into it. Do not lose a minute. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK Major-General Halleck, near Corinth, Miss.: Several despatches from Assistant Secretary Scott and one from Governor Morton asking reinforcements for you have been received. I beg you to be assured we do the best we can. I mean to cast no blame when I tell you each of our commanders along our line from Richmond to Corinth supposes himself to be confronted by numbers superior to his own. Under this pressure we thinned the line on the upper Potomac, until yesterday it was broken at heavy loss to us, and General Banks put in great peril, out of which he is not yet extricated, and may be actually captured. We need men to repair this breach, and have them not at hand. My dear general, I feel justified to rely very much on you. I believe you and the brave officers and men with you can and will get the victory at Corinth. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. MCDOWELL WAR DEPARTMENT, May 24, 1862. 5 P. M. Major-General McDowell, Fredericksburg: General Frémont has been ordered by telegraph to move from Franklin on Harrisonburg to relieve General Banks, and capture or destroy Jackson's and Ewell's forces. You are instructed, laying aside for the present the movement on Richmond, to put 20,000 men in motion at once for the Shenandoah, moving on the line or in advance of the line of the Manassas Gap Railroad. Your object will be to capture the forces of Jackson and Ewell, either in coöperation with General Frémont, or, in case want of supplies or of transportation interferes with his movements, it is believed that the force which you move will be sufficient to accomplish this object alone. The information thus far received here makes it probable that if the enemy operate actively against General Banks, you will not be able to count upon much assistance from him, but may even have to release him. Reports received this moment are that Banks is fighting with Ewell eight miles from Winchester. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. MCDOWELL WAR DEPARTMENT, May 24, 1862. 8 P. M. Major-General McDowell: I am highly gratified by your alacrity in obeying my order. The change was as painful to me as it can possibly be to you or to any one. Everything now depends upon the celerity and vigor of your movement. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM FROM SECRETARY STANTON TO GENERAL I. MCDOWELL. Major-General McDowell, Falmouth: In view of the operations of the enemy on the line of General Banks, the President thinks the whole force you designed to move from Fredericksburg should not be taken away, and he therefore directs that one brigade in addition to what you designed to leave at Fredericksburg should be left there: this brigade to be the least effective of your command. EDWIN M. STANTON. TELEGRAM FROM SECRETARY STANTON TO GENERAL N. P. BANKS WAR DEPARTMENT, May 24, 1862. Major-General Banks, Winchester: In your despatch of this evening to the President, you say that you intend to return with your command to Strasburg. The question is suggested whether you will not by that movement expose your stores and trains at Winchester. The President desires, therefore, more detailed information than you have yet furnished respecting the force and position of the enemy in your neighborhood before you make a movement that will subject Winchester or Harper's Ferry to danger from sudden attack. You will please report fully before moving. MESSAGE TO THE SENATE, May 24, 1862 To the Senate of the United States: I transmit a report from the Secretary of State in answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 22d instant, calling for further correspondence relative to Mexican affairs. A. LINCOLN. |