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It was not possible to continue a condition of affairs that neutralized the best forces of the army, and the President wisely relieved General Burnside from a position deeply

1. All of the troops available in the East should be massed.

2. They should approach as near to Richmond as possible without an engagement.

3. The line of communication should be absolutely free from danger of interruption.

A campaign on the James River enables us to fulfil all these conditions more absolutely than any other, for,

1. On the James River our troops from both North and South can be concentrated more rapidly than they can be at any other point.

2. They can be brought to points within twenty miles of Richmond without the risk of an engagement.

3. The communication by the James River can be kept up by the assistance of the navy, without the slightest danger of interruption.

Some of the details of this plan are the following:

We premise that by concentrating our troops in the East, we will be able to raise two hundred and fifty thousand men.

Let them be landed on both sides of the James River as near Richmond as possible, one hundred and fifty thousand on the north bank, and one hundred thousand or more on the south bank. All of them to carry three days' provisions on their persons and one hundred rounds of ammunition, without any other baggage than blankets, and shelter-tents, and a pair of socks, and a pair of drawers. Let it be understood that every third day a corps or grand division is provisioned from the river. If this arrangement be practicable (and we think it is), we get rid of all baggage, provision, and infantry ammunition wagons, and the only vehicles will be the artillery and its ammunition wagons and the ambulances. The mobility of the army caused by carrying out these views will be more like that of an immense partisan'corps than a modern army.

The two armies marching up the banks may meet the enemy on or near the river. By means of pontons kept afloat, and towed so as to be reached at any point, one army can in a few hours cross to assist the other. It is hardly supposable that the enemy can have force enough to withstand the shock of two such bodies.

If the enemy declines to fight on the river, the army on the south bank, or a portion of it, will take possession of the railroads running south from Rich mond, while the remainder will proceed to the investment or attack upon. Richmond, according to circumstances.

Whether the investment of Richmond leads to the destruction or capture of the enemy's army or not, it certainly will lead to the capture of the rebel

humiliating to any man of honor. He lapsed from the greatness thrust upon him without forfeiting the respect of the

capital, and the war will be on a better footing than it is now or has any present prospect of being.

The troops available for the movement are: the Army of the Potomac, the troops in Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina, with the exception of those necessary to hold the places now occupied, the regiments now in process of organization, and those who are on extra duty and furlough, deserters, and stragglers.

The number of these last is enormous, and the most stringent measures must be taken to collect them-no excuse should be received for absence. Some of the troops in Western Virginia might also be detached.

The transports should consist of ordinary steamers and large ferrv-boats and barges. The ferry-boats may become of the greatest use in transporting troops across the James River.

With the details of the movement we do not trouble you. Should the general idea be adopted, these can be thoroughly digested and worked out by the generals and their staffs to whom the execution of the plan is committed. Very respectfully, your obedient servants,

W. B. FRANKLIN, Major-General.
W. F. SMITH, Major-General.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, December 22, 1862.

MAJOR-GENERAL FRANKLIN AND MAJOR-GENERAL SMITH:

Yours of the 21st, suggesting a plan of operations for the Army of the Potomac, is received. I have hastily read the plan and shall yet try to give it more deliberate consideration, with the aid of military men. Meanwhile, let me say it seems to me to present the old questions of preference between the line of the Peninsula and the line you are now upon. The difficulties you point out pertaining to the Fredericksburg line are obvious and palpable. But now, as heretofore, if you go to the James River, a large part of the army must remain on or near the Fredericksburg line to protect Washington. It is the old difficulty.

When I saw General Franklin at Harrison's Landing on James River, last July, I cannot be mistaken in saying that he distinctly advised the bringing of the army away from there. Yours, very truly,

A. LINCOLN.

HEADQUARTERS LEFT GRAND DIVISION, December 26, 1862.

TO THE PRESIDENT: I respectfully acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22d inst. In arguing the propriety of a campaign on the James River, we supposed Washington to be garrisoned sufficiently, and the Potomac impassable except by bridges. The fortification of Harper's Ferry is another important requisite.

country for his zeal and patriotism; but he left behind him no illusions respecting his capacity for the command of an army.

These matters were considered as of course, and did not enter into our discussion of the two plans of campaign. I presume that you are right in supposing that I advised the withdrawal of the army from James River in July last. I think that under the same circumstances I would give the same advice. The army was debilitated by what it had already gone through, was in an unhealthy position, its sick list was enormous, and there was a prospect that we would have to remain in that position during the two worst months—August and September. The effect of this would have been to ruin the army in health. Circumstances are very different now. The army is in good health, and the best months of the year are before us.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. B. FRANKLIN, Major-General.

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