Complete Works of
Abraham Lincoln

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LETTER TO GOVERNOR MORTON WASHINGTON, D. C., September 29, 1861. IS EXCELLENCY, Governor O. P. Morton: Your letter by the hand of Mr. Prunk was received yesterday. I write this letter because I wish you to believe of us (as we certainly believe of you) that we are doing the very best we can. You do not receive arms from us as fast as you need them; but it is because we have not near enough to meet all the pressing demands, and we are obliged to share around what we have, sending the larger share to the points which appear to need them most. We have great hope that our own supply will be ample before long, so that you and all others can have as many as you need. I see an article in an Indianapolis newspaper denouncing me for not answering your letter sent by special messenger two or three weeks ago. I did make what I thought

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the best answer to that letter. As I remem-
ber, it asked for ten heavy guns to be dis-
tributed, with some troops, at Lawrenceburg,
Madison, New Albany, and Evansville; and I
ordered the guns and directed you to send the
troops, if you had them.
had them. As to Kentucky, you
do not estimate that State as more important
than I do, but I am compelled to watch all
points. While I write this I am, if not in range,
at least in hearing of cannon-shot from an army
of enemies more than 100,000 strong. I do not
expect them to capture this city; but I know
they would if I were to send the men and arms
from here to defend Louisville, of which there
is not a single hostile armed soldier within forty
miles, nor any force known to be moving upon
it from any distance. It is true the army in our
front may make a half-circle around southward
and move on Louisville, but when they do we
will make a half-circle around northward and
meet them; and in the mean time we will get
up what forces we can from other sources to also
meet them.

I hope Zollicoffer has left Cumberland Gap (though I fear he has not), because, if he has, I rather infer he did it because of his dread of Camp Dick Robinson, reinforced from Cincinnati, moving on him, than because of his intention to move on Louisville. But if he does

go round and reinforce Buckner, let Dick Robinson come round and reinforce Sherman, and the thing is substantially as it was when Zollicoffer left Cumberland Gap. I state this as an illustration; for, in fact, I think if the Gap is left open to us Dick Robinson should take it and hold it; while Indiana and the vicinity of Louisville in Kentucky can reinforce Sherman faster than Zollicoffer can Buckner.

You requested that Lieutenant-Colonel Wood of the army should be appointed a brigadiergeneral. I will only say that very formidable objection has been made to this from Indiana. Yours very truly, A. LINCOLN.

*LETTER TO GENERAL SCOTT

[WASHINGTON], September 30, 1861. The Sanitary Commission is doing a work of great humanity, and of direct practical value to the nation, in this time of trial. It is entitled to the gratitude and the confidence of the people, and I trust it will be generously supported. There is no agency through which voluntary offerings of patriotism can be more effectively made. A. LINCOLN.

MEMORANDUM FOR A PLAN OF CAMPAIGN, [October 1?] 1861

On or about the 5th of October (the exact date to be determined hereafter) I wish a move

ment made to seize and hold a point on the railroad connecting Virginia and Tennessee near the mountain-pass called Cumberland Gap. That point is now guarded against us by Zollicoffer, with 6,000 or 8,000 rebels at Barboursville, Ky., say twenty-five miles from the Gap, toward Lexington. We have a force of 5,000 or 6,000 under General Thomas, at Camp Dick Robinson, about twenty-five miles from Lexington and seventy-five from Zollicoffer's camp, on the road between the two. There is not a railroad anywhere between Lexington and the point to be seized, and along the whole length of which the Union sentiment among the people largely predominates. We have military possession of the railroad from Cincinnati to Lexington, and from Louisville to Lexington, and some home guards, under General Crittenden, are on the latter line. We have possession of the railroad from Louisville to Nashville, Tenn., so far as Muldraugh's Hill, about forty miles, and the rebels have possession of that road all south of there. At the Hill we have a force of 8,000, under General Sherman, and about an equal force of rebels is a very short distance south, under General Buckner.

We have a large force at Paducah, and a smaller at Fort Holt, both on the Kentucky side, with some at Bird's Point, Cairo, Mound City,

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