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

To Joseph Hooker1Jump to section

Executive Mansion,
Major General Hooker Washington, April 15. 1863

It is now 10-15.P.M. An hour ago I received your letter of this morning, and a few minutes later your despatch of this evening. The latter gives me considerable uneasiness. The rain and mud, of course, were to be calculated upon. Gen. S. is not moving rapidly enough to make the expedition come to any thing. He has now been out three days, two of which were unusually fine weather, and all three without hindrance from the enemy, and yet he is not twentyfive miles from where he started. To reach his point, he still has sixty to go; another river, the Rapidan, to cross, and will be hindered by the enemy. By arithmetic, how many days will it take him to do it? I do not know that any better can be done, but I greatly fear it is another failure already. Write me often. I am very anxious. Yours truly A. LINCOLN

Annotation

[1]   ALS-F, ISLA. Hooker's letter of April 15 is as follows:

``A letter from Maj Genl. Stoneman dated 1 o'clock P.M. yesterday, informs me that his command will be across the river before daylight this morning the 15th. It was his intention to cross at three points, all above the Rappahannock Station. I sent him six days rations, for men and animals, by wagons to be distributed just before his passage of the river. The wagons are now on their return. From the Rappahannock, if he should meet with no unusual delay, he will strike the Aquia and Richmond Rail Road on the night of the second day. Meanwhile I shall do what I can to keep the Enemy up to their works in my front and if they should fall back shall pursue with all the vigor practicable.

``Up to late last night the Enemy appeared to have no suspicion of our designs. This morning I can see nothing, from the storm.

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``I am rejoiced that Stoneman had two good days to go up the river and was enabled to cross it before it had become too much swollen.

``If he can reach his position the storm and mud will not damage our prospects.

``He has been furnished with a copy of Maj. Genl Peck's despatch regarding the Enemy in his immediate front. If it should be true Richmond can have no soldiers in the city at this time.'' (DLC-RTL).

Hooker's telegram of 8 P.M. the same day is as follows:

``Just heard from Genl. S[toneman]. His Artillery has been brought to a halt by the mud One Division only having crossed the river. If practicable, he will proceed without it. All the streams are swimming.'' (Ibid.).

On April 17 Hooker replied to Lincoln's letter of the 15th:

``I have the honor to acknowledge your communication of the night of the 15th inst. and in compliance with your request, transmit herewith a letter from Genl. Stoneman dated the 16th inst, as it will fully inform you of the circumstances attending his march up the river. . . . The letter was this moment received.

``His failure, to accomplish speedily the objects of his expedition, is a source of deep regret . . . but I can find nothing in his conduct . . . requiring . . . censure. We cannot control the elements.

``From your letter I conclude that you had misapprehended the position of his advance the night of the second day out . . . which was on the South Side of the Rappahannock and fifty miles from this camp. . . .

``I have given directions for him to remain in his present position, holding himself in readiness to march as soon, after, the roads and rivers will permit. . . . I still hope to turn his movement to some good account. . . .

``No one, Mr President can be more anxious, than myself to relieve your cares and anxieties and you may be assured that I shall spare no labor, and suffer no opportunity to pass unimproved, for so doing.

``We have no reason to suppose that the enemy have any knowledge of the design of Genl. Stoneman's movement.'' (Ibid.).