Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 6 [Dec. 13, 1862-Nov. 3, 1863].

To Henry W. Halleck1Jump to section

Executive Mansion
Major General Halleck. Washington, Oct 24, 63.

Taking all our information together I think it probable that Ewell's corps has started for East Tennessee by way of Abingdon, marching last Monday, say, from Meade's front directly to the Railroad at Charlottesville. First, the object of Lee's recent movement against Meade, his destruction of the Alexandria & Orange Rail road, and subsequent withdrawal, without more, not otherwise apparent, would be explained by this hypothesis. Secondly, the direct statement of Sharpe's man that Ewell has gone to Tennessee. Thirdly, the Irishman's statement that he has not gone through Richmond; and his further statement of an appeal made to the people at Richmond to go and protect their salt, which could only refer to the works near Abingdon. Fourthly, Graham's2Jump to section statement from Martinsburg that Imboden3Jump to section is in retreat for Harrisonburg. This last matches with the idea that Lee has retained his cavalry, sending Imboden, and perhaps other scraps, to join Ewell.

Upon this probability, what is to be done? If you have a plan matured, I have nothing to say. If you have not, then I suggest that with all possible expedition the Army of the Potomac get ready to attack Lee; and that, in the mean time, a raid shall, at all hazzards, break the Railroad at or near Lynchburg, Yours truly

A. LINCOLN.

Annotation

[1]   Copy, DLC-RTL. On October 23, General Meade forwarded to Halleck by telegraph a despatch which he had received from Colonel George H. Sharpe, deputy provost marshal at Alexandria, Virginia, as follows:

``Our men returned this morning. The old man says that Ewell's Corps went

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to Tennessee last Monday. He did not have time to go to the army himself but yesterday he saw a man from Fredericksburg who had gone up to Culpepper on Monday as claimant to get certificates for damages done to his property, & citizens around Fredericksburg. These certificates were to come from Officers in Ewell's Corps. The claimant returned to Fredericksburg on Tuesday & said that he was unable to complete his business because Ewell's Corps had left for Tennessee on Monday.

``This is the authority & the old man thinks it straight.

``The old man also says that he is quite sure no troops have come to Lee's army, that it is reported that the Division at Petersburg has gone to reinforce Bragg & that the main body of the enemy lies at Culpepper with some troops thrown over the Rapidan. The people about Fredericksburg report that Lee's late advance upon Meade's front has turned out disastrous, & that A. P. Hill is in arrest for the failure. On the other hand one man brought with them, an Irish refugee from Richmond, who says he left there Wednesday morning at 7 o'clock, that up to that time Ewell's Corps had not passed through. That on Saturday evening last Gov [William] Smith addressed the citizens of Richmond urging the Home Co's. to go to protect the Salt works. He did not hear where but very few went; that Mr Davis returned from Bragg's army on Monday last & addressed the citizens the same evening, assuring them of success in the West. . . .'' (DLC-RTL).

Halleck telegraphed Meade at 11 A.M. on October 24, ``The President desires that you will prepare to attack Lee's army, and, at all hazards, make a cavalry raid, to break the railroad at or near Lynchburg, and such other places as may be practicable. . . . I send herewith a copy of the President's letter, just received.'' (OR, I, XXIX, II, 375).

Meade replied at 2 P.M., ``Your telegram . . . received. The information given by Colonel Sharpe's dispatch is disproved by two deserters just in, who report Ewell's corps in my immediate front. . . . From all the information I can get, Lee's army is now between the Rappahannock and the Rapidan, principally at Stevensburg, Brandy, and Jefferson. . . . I shall make every preparation with the utmost expedition to advance, and in the meantime select a cavalry command, and arrange the details for the raid ordered.'' (Ibid., 376-77).

[2]   Probably Michael Graham, a secret service agent.

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[3]   Confederate General John D. Imboden.

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