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

Annotation

[1]   ALS, RPB. Dix telegraphed Stanton at 11 A.M., ``Will you please say to President Lincoln that the report from Williamsburg is just in. The enemy had not been at White House at 8 o'clock last evening. Our pickets extend to New Kent Court-House, 6 miles this side.'' (OR, I, XI, III, 278). At 2 P.M. he replied to Lincoln's dispatch, ``We have no doubt that McClellan intended to abandon the White House. Our only line of communication with him by telegraph from that point would be along the railroad, which the enemy will hardly give up.

``The communication of . . . Goldsborough, telegraphed to Gideon Welles, will have advised you that the general relies on the James River for all his communications

hereafter. The commodore was with me an hour ago. I suggested we should extend our wires from Williamsburg to the mouth of the Chickahominy and there communicate by the James River by steamers or carry them on the left bank of the river to Turkey Island Point. . . . The general has all the materials of the working party with him. . . . We have no material here. I will make a reconnaissance in the vicinity of the White House, to ascertain whether the enemy are there.'' (Ibid., pp. 278-79).