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.

Pages

To George B. McClellan1Jump to section

Private.
Major General Geo. B. McClellan Executive Mansion
My dear Sir Nov. 1. 1861

Lieut. Genl. Scott having been, upon his own application, placed on the list of retired officers, with his advice, and the concurrence of the entire cabinet, I have designated you to command the whole

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Army. You will, therefore, assume this enlarged duty at once, conferring with me so far as necessary. Yours truly A. LINCOLN

P.S. For the present, let Gen. Wool's command be excepted2Jump to section

A L

Annotation

[1] ALS, DLC-McClellan Papers. See Lincoln's order retiring General Scott, infra.

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[2] Lincoln's exception of General Wool may be explained by the fact that the elderly general had let it be known that he would resign if any younger officer were appointed commander-in-chief (Ira Harris to Lincoln, November 1, and John Jay to Lincoln, November 2, 1861, DLC-RTL).