Murfreesboro Tenn. Washington, March 25, 1863.
Your despatches about Gen. Davis and Gen. Mitchell are received. Gen. Davis' case is not peculiar, being simply one of a great many recommended, and not nominated, because they would transcend the number allowed by the law. Gen. Mitchell was nominated and rejected by the Senate; and I do not think it proper for me to re-nominate him without a change of circumstances, such as the performance of additional service, or an expressed change of purpose on the part of at least some Senators who opposed him.
A. LINCOLN