that I would be glad for you to come. Nothing very particular, but I would be glad to see you and Tad. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO GOVERNOR PIERPOINT. WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., GOVERNOR PIERPOINT, Alexandria, Va.: I would be glad to have your opinion whether it would be good policy to refund the money collected from the people of East Virginia, as indemnity for the lighthouse depredation. I believe you once gave me your opinion on the point, but I am not entirely sure. Please answer. A. LINCOLN. TO GENERAL H. W. HALLECK. EXECUTIVE MANSION WASHINGTON, D. C., MAJOR-GENERAL HALLECK: I think it very important for General Rosecrans to hold his position at or about Chattanooga, because if held from that place to Cleveland, both inclusive, it keeps all Tennessee clear of the enemy, and also breaks one of his most important railroad lines. To prevent these consequences is so vital to his cause that he cannot give up the effort to dislodge us from the position, thus bringing him to us and saving us the labor, expense, and hazard of going farther to find him, and also giving us the advantage of choosing our own ground and preparing it to fight him upon. The details must, of course, be left to General Rosecrans, while we must furnish him the means to the utmost of our ability. If you concur, I think he would better be informed that we are not pushing him beyond this position; and that, in fact, our judgment is rather against his going beyond it. If he can only maintain this position, without more, this rebellion can only eke out a short and feeble existence, as an animal sometimes may with a thorn in its vitals. Yours truly, A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, D. C., GENERAL BURNSIDE, Greenville, Tenn.: If you are to do any good to Rosecrans it will not do to waste time with Jonesboro. It is already too late to do the most good that might have been done, but I hope it will still do some good. Please do not lose a moment. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL A. E. BURNSIDE. WAR DEPARTMENT, September 21, 1863. 11 A.M. GENERAL BURNSIDE, Knoxville, Tenn.: Go to Rosecrans with your force without a moment's delay. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. POSECRANS. WASHINGTON, September 21, 1863. 12.55 P.M. MAJOR-GENERAL ROSECRANS, Chattanooga: Be of good cheer. We have unabated confidence in you, and in your soldiers and officers. In the main you must be the judge as to what is to be done. If I were to suggest, I would say, save your army by taking strong positions until Burnside joins you, when, I hope, you can turn the tide. I think you had better send a courier to Burnside to hurry him up. We cannot reach him by telegraph. We suppose some force is going to you from Corinth, but for want of communication we do not know how they are getting along. We shall do our utmost to assist you. Send us your present positions. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. [Cipher.] WAR DEPARTMENT, September 22, 1863. 8.30 A.M. MAJOR-GENERAL ROSECRANS, Chattanooga, Tenn.: We have not a word here as to the whereabouts or condition of your army up to a later hour than sunset, Sunday, the 20th. Your despatches to me of 9 A.M., and to General Halleck of 2 P.M., yesterday, tell us nothing later on those points. Please relieve my anxiety as to the position and condition of your army up to the latest moment. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO O. M. HATCH AND J. K. DUBOIS. September 22, 1863. HON. O. M. HATCH, HON. J. K. DUBOIS, Springfield, Ill.: Your letter is just received. The particular form of my despatch was jocular, which I supposed you gentlemen knew me well enough to understand. General Allen is considered here as a very faithful and capable officer, and one who would be at least thought of for quartermaster-general if that office were vacant. A. LINCOLN. TELEGRAM TO MRS. LINCOLN. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, MRS. A. LINCOLN, Fifth Avenue House, New York: TELEGRAM TO GENERAL W. S. ROSECRANS. WASHINGTON, September 23, 1863. 9.15 A.M. MAJOR-GENERAL ROSECRANS, Chattanooga, Tenn.: Below is Bragg's despatch as found in the Rich mond papers. You see he does not claim so many prisoners or captured guns as you were inclined to concede. He also confesses to heavy loss. An exchanged general of ours leaving Richmond yesterday says two of Longstreet's divisions and his entire artillery and two of Pickett's brigades and Wise's legion have gone to Tennessee. He mentions no other. "CHICKAMAUGA RIVER, September 20. (via Ringgold, 21st). "GENERAL COOPER, Adjutant-General: "After two days' hard fighting we have driven the enemy, after a desperate resistance, from several positions, and now hold the field; but he still confronts us. The losses are heavy on both sides, especially in our officers. We have taken over twenty pieces of artillery and some 2500 prisoners. "BRAXTON BRAGG." A. LINCOLN. PROCLAMATION OPENING THE PORT OF ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, SEPTEMBER 24, 1863. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A Proclamation. Whereas, in my proclamation of the twentyseventh of April, 1861, the ports of the States of, Virginia and North Carolina were, for reasons therein set forth, placed under blockade; and whereas the port of Alexandria, Virginia, has since been |