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

Hon. Secretary of War, Executive Mansion,
Sir. Washington, D.C. Aug. 26, 1863.

In my correspondence with Gov. Seymour in relation to the draft, I have said to him, substantially, that credits shall be given for volunteers up to the latest moment, before drawing in any district, that can be done without producing confusion or delay. In order to do this, let our mustering officers in New-York, and elsewhere, be at once instructed that whenever they muster into our service any number of volunteers, to at once make return to the War Department, both by telegraph and mail, the date of the muster, the number mustered, and the Congressional or enrolment District, or Districts, of their residences, giving the number separately for each District. Keep these returns diligently posted, and by them give full credit on the quotas, if possible, on the last day before the draft begins in any District.

Again, I have informed Governor Seymour that he shall be notified of the time when the draft is to commence in each District in his State. This is equally proper for all the States. In order to carry it out, I propose that so soon as the day for commencing the draft in any District is definitely determined, the Governor of the

State, including the District, be notified thereof, both by telegraph and mail, in form, about as follows:

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..... 1863

Governor of .....

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You are notified that the draft will commence in the..... District, at..... on the..... day of..... 1863, at..... A.M. of said day. Please acknowledge receipt of this, by telegraph and mail.

.....

.....

This notice may be given by the Provost-Marshall-General here, the sub-Provost-Marshall-Generals in the States, or perhaps by the District Provost-Marshalls.

Whenever we shall have so far proceeded in New York as to make the re-enrolments specially promised there, practicable, I wish that also to go forward; and I wish Governor Seymour notified of it; so that, if he choose, he can place agents of his, with ours, to see the work fairly done. Yours truly A LINCOLN