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

To George B. McClellan1Jump to section

War Department, March 13, 1862.

The President having considered the plan of operations agreed upon by yourself and the commanders of army corps, makes no objection to the same, but gives the following directions as to its execution:

1st. Leave such force at Manassas Junction as shall make it entirely certain that the enemy shall not repossess himself of that position and line of communication.

2d. Leave Washington secure.

3d. Move the remainder of the force down the Potomac, choosing a new base at Fortress Monroe, or anywhere between here and

there; or, at all events, move such remainder of the army at once in pursuit of the enemy by some route. EDWIN M. STANTON,

Seven o'clock, forty minutes. Secretary of War.

Major General George B. McClellan.

Annotation

[1]   Thirty-seventh Congress, Third Session, Senate Reports, No. 108, Part I, p. 313. This item is misdated ``1863'' in Hertz (II, 917-18). The evidence is that Lincoln composed the body of this communication, but the original is missing (DNA WR RG 94, Adjutant General, Letters Received, P 1254).

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