Annotation
[1] ALS, RPB. General Sickles wrote Lincoln on January 27, 1864, that he could walk without crutches by use of an artificial leg and was anxious for duty (DLC-RTL). On January 29 he replied to Lincoln's telegram, ``Your telegram received this afternoon. I am ready to go at once. Shall I wait here for orders or proceed to Washington?'' (Ibid.). On February 2, he wrote:
``Since replying to your telegram in reference to Arkansas---to the effect that I was ready to go---I have waited here for orders presuming that if you wished me to report to you in person in Washington your wish would be made known. . . by telegram or letter. I write now lest there might be a different expectation on your part.
``Here I am making good use of my time in learning the use of my artificial limb. . . and. . . as soon as I am advised that I am fit for. . . duty will proceed to Washington. . .
``My first wish is to resume command of my Corps---next to that, the command of Washington---but I shall be entirely satisfied to undertake any duty which you think I can be most useful to the Government,---whether in the field, or at Washington, Arkansas or elsewhere.''(Ibid.).
See further, Lincoln to Sickles, February 10, infra.