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

Annotation

[1]   ALS, MiU-C. Colonel Russell A. Alger, Fifth Michigan Cavalry, wrote Nicolay on February 9, 1864:

``Obeying your instructions of this date, I have the honor to submit the following suggestion, together with plan, of carrying into effect, the circulation of the Presidents Amnesty Proclamation within the enemy's lines.

``Almost invariably, the first questions asked by deserters coming within our lines, are, `What are you going to do with us?' `Are we to be shut up in prison?' `Are we to be pressed into your army?' &c.

``This, they are taught by their officers, will be, if they desert to us.

``They also ask, `What privileges can we have, if we take the oath. . . .'

``These questions the Proclamation does not answer so plainly to all as not to admit of a doubt.

``Could an order be made, and affixed to the Proclamation, answering them as far as possible. . . .

``The plan I would suggest for distributing is: let scouts carry it within the Enemy's lines; let Cavalry expeditions be sent out, supplied with it; leave copies at every house possible, and scatter wherever the enemy will be likely

to find it. . . . Many will be found by rebel soldiers, and many will be sent to them by mail from their friends. . . .

``If a Reg't of Cavalry can be furnished to me, at different points along the enemy front, I will, if permitted, volunteer to, as far as is in my power, see this carried into effect personally.'' (DLC-RTL).

Edward D. Townsend wrote Nicolay on February 23 that ``Col. Alger has gone to Genl. Butler's Department with some of those small print Proclamations. . . .'' (Ibid.).