Selected Correspondance of Abraham Lincoln 1863 Telegram To General Hooker
by Abraham Lincoln
WASHINGTON, D.C. JUNE 5, 1863
MAJOR-GENERAL HOOKER:
Yours of to-day was received an hour ago. So much of professional
military skill is requisite to answer it that I have turned the task
over to General Halleck. He promises to perform it with his utmost
care. I have but one idea which I think worth suggesting to you, and
that is, in case you find Lee coming to the north of the
Rappahannock, I would by no means cross to the south of it. If he
should leave a rear force at Fredericksburg, tempting you to fall
upon it, it would fight in entrenchments and have you at advantage,
and so, man for man, worst you at that point, While his main force
would in some way be getting an advantage of you northward. In one
word, I would not take any risk of being entangled up on the river
like an ox jumped half over a fence and liable to be torn by dogs
front and rear without a fair chance to gore one way or to kick the
other.
If Lee would come to my side of the river I would keep on the same
side and fight him, or act on the defensive, according as might be my
estimate of his strength relatively to my own. But these are mere
suggestions, which I desire to be controlled by the judgment of
yourself and General Halleck.
