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.
Can you not cut the Acquia Creek Railroad also? What impression have you, as to intrenchments---works---for you to contend
with in front of Richmond? Can you get near enough to throw shells into the city? A. LINCOLN
(Send in cypher).
[1] ALS, RPB. The received copy of McClellan's reply is dated May 26, 1862, 2 P.M. The discrepancy of its having been received before Lincoln's telegram was sent may represent an error of the telegraph office. The telegram reads as follows: ``Have cut the Virginia Central Rail Road in three places between Hanover C.H. and the Chickahominy. Will try to cut the other. I do not think Richmond entrenchments formidable, but am not certain. Hope very soon to be within shelling distance. Have Rail road in operation from White House to Chickahominy. Hope to have Chickahominy bridge repaired tonight. Nothing of interest today.'' (DLC-RTL).