Selected Correspondance of Abraham Lincoln 1863 Letter To General H. W. Halleck
by Abraham Lincoln
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON
January 1, 1863
MAJOR-GENERAL HALLECK.
DEAR SIR:--General Burnside wishes to cross the Rappahannock with his
army, but his grand division commanders all oppose the movement. If
in such a difficulty as this you do not help, you fail me precisely
in the point for which I sought your assistance You know what General
Burnside's plan is, and it is my wish that you go with him to the
ground, examine it as far as practicable, confer with the officers,
getting their judgment, and ascertaining their temper--in a word,
gather all the elements for forming a judgment of your own, and then
tell General Burnside that you do approve or that you do not approve
his plan. Your military skill is useless to me if you will not do
this.
Yours very truly,
A. LINCOLN
[Indorsement]
January 1, 1863
Withdrawn, because considered harsh by General Halleck.
A. LINCOLN
