June 21, 1862
President Lincoln writes General George B. McClellan: “Your despatch of yesterday, 2 P.M. was received this morning. If it would not divert too much of your time, and attention from the Army under your immediate command, I would be glad to have your views as to present state of Military affairs throughout the whole country – as you say you would be glad to give them. I would rather it should be by letter, than by Telegraph, because of the better chance of secrecy. As to number and position of the troops, not under your command, in Virginia and elsewhere, even if I could do it with accuracy, which I can not, I would rather no transmit either by telegraph or letter, because of the chances of it’s reaching the enemy.” He added: “I would be very glad to talk with you, but you can not leave your camp, and I can not well leave here.”
Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War 
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