railroad was not seized again, as you say you have all the railroads but the Richmond and Fredericksburg. I am puzzled to see how, lacking that, you can have any, except the scrap from Richmond to West Point. The scrap of the Virginia Central from Richmond to Hanover Junction, without more, is simply nothing. That the whole of the enemy is concentrating on Richmond, I think cannot be certainly known to you or me. Saxton, at Harper's Ferry informs us that large forces, supposed to be Jackson's and Ewell's, forced his advance from Charlestown today. General King telegraphs us from Fredericksburg that contrabands give certain information that 15,000 left Hanover Junction Monday morning to reinforce Jackson. I am painfully impressed with the importance of the struggle before you, and shall aid you all I can consistently with my view of due regard to all points. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM FROM SECRETARY STANTON TO GENERAL FRÉMONT. WASHINGTON, May 28, 1862. II P.M. MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN C. FREMONT, Moorefield: The order to remain at Moorefield was based on the supposition that it would find you there. Upon subsequent information that the enemy were still operating in the vicinity of Winchester and Martinsburg, you were directed to move against the enemy. The President now again directs you to move against the enemy without delay. Please acknowledge the receipt of this, and the time received. EDWIN M. Stanton, Secretary of War. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MARCY. WASHINGTON, May 29, 1862. 10 A.M. GENERAL R. B. MARCY, McClellan's Headquarters: Yours just received. I think it cannot be certainly known whether the force which fought General Porter is the same which recently confronted McDowell. Another item of evidence bearing on it is that General Branch commanded against Porter, while it was General Anderson who was in front of McDowell. He and McDowell were in correspondence about prisoners. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL G. B. MCCLELLAN. WAR DEPARTment, WashinGTON CITY, D. C., MAJOR-GENERAL MCCLELLAN: I think we shall be able within three days to tell you certainly whether any considerable force of the enemy-Jackson or any one else-is moving on to Harper's Ferry or vicinity. Take this expected development into your calculations. VOL. VI.-3. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL N. P. BANKS. MAJOR-GENERAL BANKS, Williamsport, Maryland: General McDowell's advance should, and probably will, be at or near Front Royal at twelve (noon) tomorrow. General Frémont will be at or near Strasburg as soon. Please watch the enemy closely, and follow and harass and detain him if he attempts to retire. I mean this for General Saxton's force as well as that immediately with you. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL J. C. FRÉMONT. WASHINGTON, May 29, 1862. 12 M. MAJOR-GENERAL FREMONT, Moorefield, Virginia: General McDowell's advance, if not checked by the enemy, should, and probably will, be at Front Royal by twelve (noon) to-morrow. His force, when up, will be about 20,000. Please have your force at Strasburg, or, if the route you are moving on does not lead to that point, as near Strasburg as the enemy may be by the same time. Your despatch No. 30 received and satisfactory A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. MCDOWELL. WASHINGTON, May 29, 1862. 12 M. MAJOR-GENERAL McDowell, Manassas Junction: General Frémont's force should, and probably will, be at or near Strasburg by twelve (noon) tomorrow. Try to have your force, or the advance of it, at Front Royal as soon. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL MARCY. WASHINGTON, May 29, 1862. 1.20 P.M. GENERAL R. B. MARCY: Your despatch as to the South Anna and Ashland being seized by our forces this morning is received. Understanding these points to be on the Richmond and Fredericksburg railroad, I heartily congratulate the country, and thank General McClellan and his army for their seizure. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL I. MCDOWELL. WASHINGTON, May 30, 1862. 10 A.M. MAJOR-GENERAL MCDOWELL, Manassas Junction: I somewhat apprehend that Frémont's force, in its present condition, may not be quite strong enough in case it comes in collision with the enemy. For this additional reason I wish you to push forward your column as rapidly as possible. Tell me what number your force reaching Front Royal will amount to. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL N. P. BANKS. WASHINGTON, May 30, 1862. 10.15 AM. 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 Frémont, in which case I am anxious that your force, with you and at Harper's Ferry, should so operate as to assist Frémont 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. Frémont has nominally 22,000, really about 17,000. Blenker's division is part of it. I have a despatch from Frémont 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. |