Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 5 [Oct. 24, 1861-Dec. 12, 1862].

About this Item

Title: Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 5 [Oct. 24, 1861-Dec. 12, 1862].
Author: Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865.
Publication: New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press; 1953.
Rights/Permissions: The University of Michigan Library provides access to these materials for educational and research purposes, with permission from their copyright holder. If you decide to use any of these materials, you are responsible for making your own legal assessment and securing any necessary permission.
Link to this Item: http://name.umdl.umich.edu/lincoln5
Cite this Item: "Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 5 [Oct. 24, 1861-Dec. 12, 1862]." In the digital collection Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/lincoln5. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 20, 2025.

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To Seth Williams1Jump to section

Gen. Seth Williams Executive Mansion
My dear Sir Jan. 8. 1862

Major Thomas Duncan, now on duty on the border of Mexico, is an Illinoisian, and I had some acquaintance with him when he was young. His wife, whose father resides in this city, is now here, and tells me you know her husband. She is very anxious, as in duty bound, for him to be promoted, but especially for him to be assigned to duty here. Please write me what you know of him as an officer; and, if you can, tell me whether he can be brought here. Yours truly A. LINCOLN

Annotation

[1] ALS, RPAB. Adjutant General Seth Williams of the Army of the Potomac apparently turned Lincoln's letter over to the Adjutant General's Office. Lorenzo

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Page 94

Thomas answered on February 13, 1862, that ``Major Duncan cannot now be withdrawn from New Mexico without serious prejudice to the public interests. . . . With reference to the promotion of Major Duncan. . . there is no vacancy . . .'' (DLC-RTL). Duncan was a former resident of McLean County, Illinois. The Official Records do not indicate his transfer from New Mexico until April 25, 1863, when he was appointed assistant provost marshal for Iowa (III, III, 169).