Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 7 [Nov. 5, 1863-Sept. 12, 1864].

To William T. Sherman1Jump to section

``Cypher''
Major General Sherman Executive Mansion
Near Atlanta, Ga. Washington D C. Aug. 15 1864

If the government should purchase, on it's own account, cotton Northward of you and on the line of your communications, would it be an inconvenience to you, or detriment to the Military service, for it to come to the North on the Railroad? A. LINCOLN

Annotation

[1]   ALS, DNA WR RG 107, Presidential Telegrams, I, 132. No reply from Sherman has been discovered, but that he telegraphed on August 17 in regard to the transportation of cotton is indicated by a note of Rufus K. Williams written on Executive Mansion stationery, August 26, as follows:

``I have seen Hon Secty Treas and proposed that Dr W. A. Turner my son-in-law, a devoted political friend of yours, should be appointed special agent to purchase this 1200 bales of cotton, that an order be issued to Genl Sherman, according to his own suggestions by Telegraph of 17th Inst. to transport it to

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Nashville. That it be sold at Nashville and liberal freights be retained by the Government, and if desired three fourths of the proceeds be invested in Government securities. This is strictly within the 8 Sect of Act of July 1864.

``It is important that it be done at once, if at all. . . . I think Mr F[essenden] regards this proposition as legal.'' (DLC-RTL).

See Lincoln's memorandum of August 25, and order of August 31, infra.