President Lincoln Would Like to Give Hooker a Corps to Command

July 27, 1863

President Lincoln wrote General George G. Meade, commander of the Army of the Potomac: “I have not thrown Gen. Hooker away; and therefore I would like to know whether, it would be agreeable to you, all things considered, for him to take a corps under you, if he himself is willing to do so.  Write me, in perfect freedom, with the assurance that I will not subject you to any embarrassment, by making your letter, or its contents, known to any one.  I wish to know your wishes before I decide whether to break the subject to him.  Do not lean a hair’s breadth against your own feelings, or your judgment of the public service, on the idea of gratifying me.”

President Lincoln writes General Ambrose Burnside: “Let me explain. In Gen. Grant’s first despatch after the fall of Vicksburg, he said, among other things, he would send the Ninth Corps to you. Thinking it would be pleasant to you, I asked the Secretary of War to telegraph you the news. For some reason, never mentioned to us by Gen. Grant, they have not been sent, though we have seen out-side intimations that they took part in the expedition against Jackson. Gen. Grant is a copious worker, and fighter, but a very meagre writer, or telegrapher. No doubt he changed his purpose in regard to the Ninth Corps, for some sufficient reason, but has forgotten to notify us of it.”

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