July 5, 1862
The First Lady tells Navy Commander John Dahlgreen that the war is keeping the president from sleeping. Illinois Senator Orville H. Browning writes: “At night rode out to the Soldiers Home with Mr Whitney to see the President. Mr Carroll met us there, and we rode back with him President showed me the despatches he had received from McClellan giving an account of the fighting before Richmond for the past week. The result is much more satisfactory to us than was previously supposed.”
President Lincoln writes General George B. McClellan – trying to encourage the pessimistic commander: “A thousand thanks for the relief your two despatches of 12 & 1 P.M. yesterday – give me. Be assured the heroism and skill of yourself, officers, and men, are, and forever will be appreciated. If you can hold your present position, we shall ‘hive’ the enemy yet.”
Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War 
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