President Lincoln Handles Military Correspondence

August 3, 1863

President General John G. Foster “or whoever may be in command of the Military Department, with Head Quarters at Fort-Monroe, Va.” regarding a controversial trial: “If Dr. [David M.P Wright, on trial at Norfolk, has been, or shall be convicted, send me a transcript of his trial and conviction, and do not let execution be done upon him, until my further order.”  Foster responded regarding the trial of the white doctor who had killed black army lieutenant Anson L. Sanborn: “Your orders will be strictly obeyed The trial is concluded. Gen [James] Naglee informs me that the proceedings findings & sentence have been forwarded to you for your revision and approval.”

President Lincoln writes Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton: “I believe the subject mentioned within deserves attention. Does the Sec. of War know to whom, or where, to refer it?” A. J. Hardee had written: “Allow me to ask your consideration in behalf of the contrabands employed repairing Roads in and around Washington.”  The welfare of black contrabands was a continuing concern for President Lincoln.  Hardee wrote;

They experience much suffering from the delay in receiving their wages due them for some time past. All of them are very much in want of clothing and almost every necessary of life. A number of them have families depending on them who must suffer very much unless they receive the pay due them speedily

They have worked faithfully an have suffered uncomplainingly. Satisfied that if their condition was represented to your Excelency that from your known kindness of Heart that you would take some action to relieve their necessities.”

President Lincoln writes Colonel James H. Van Alen of the Third New York Cavalry: “Your letter, without date, announcing your resignation, has been on my table some considerable time. I hope it may be a sufficient appology [sic] for not replying sooner, that it was not a business letter, requiring prompt attention; particularly as I am closely pressed with business matters. I am grateful for the Military service you have performed, which has been valuable to the country and honorable to yourself; and I regret the illness which has compelled you to discontinue it. I trust that illness, may speedily be superseded by renewed health, if, indeed, it has not already been. Since you wrote, as you anticipated, Port-Hudson has fallen. By that, and our other successes, I am greatly encouraged; still, we must not flag in our efforts, till the end shall be more clearly in view than it yet is.”

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