Secretary of War Edwin Stanton Works with President Lincoln

March 25, 1863

Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton writes President Lincoln: “I will report in relation to the Kentucky funds this evening. An examination of the disbursements must first be made to ascertain how much is available.”  Stanton places Lorenzo Thomas, whom Stanton never liked, in charge of black recruitment in the West.  General Stephen Hurlbut reports to President Lincoln: “Two divisions of General Shermans command are in Steele’s Bayou above Haines Bluff. Two divisions in Yazoo pass near Greenwood– Water runs freely into Lake Providence but Bayou Macon is encumbered with trees. at About nine hundred 900 Square miles of Upper Louisiana under water– Canal at Vicksburg deep enough but not wide enough. Enemy are repairing Mobile and Ohio Railroad and will run to Tupelo by next week This road is strongly guarded. All indications point to a speedy abandonment of Vicksburg and concentration on Gen Rosecrans with a diversion on my left. Enemy’s cavalry in front of Corinth are being strongly reinforced, this I think is a cover unless Van Dorn is driven across the Tennessee when we may have something to do. The troops of this command are in fine order and ready for what may turn up.”

President Lincoln’s attends a performance of Hamlet at Grover’s Theater.

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