August 21, 1862
General Ambrose Burnside responds to President Lincoln’s request for information on the status of transfer of Union troops from near Richmond to near Washington: “Telegram received1 two brigades of Porters corps arrived with Tylers heavy artillery of over forty (40) pieces. A large number of steamers in sight below Acquia. Will telegraph what troops are on board as soon as I learn. Over six thousand (6000) troops were landed yesterday and I hope double that will be landed today All that I cant land here at once I will send to Alexandria.”
President Lincoln writes Secretary of War Gideon Welles: “Under the authority vested in me by the Act approved July 14, 1862. I have “selected the following candidates from the Sons of officers or soldiers who distinguished themselves in the service of the United States” &c. for admission into the Naval Academy as Midshipmen:
1 H. Livingston Mansfield.
2 James McB. Stembel,
3 Wm H. Emory,
4 R. M. Cutts,
5 Morris A. Mackenzie,
6 George Mansfield Totten, and
7 Henry W. Wessells,
Confederate War Department authorizes Generals David Hunter and John Phelps to be held, if captured, for execution for their role in authorizing recruitment of black Union troops.
