Military Matters, Large and Small, Concern President

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.

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