President Lincoln Finds Job for Former Commander of Fort Sumter

August  15, 1863

President Lincoln writes to General Robert Anderson, who had commanded Fort Sumter at the beginning of the Civil War but who was now in ill health: “I have been through the War Department this morning looking up your case.  Section 20 of ‘An act providing for the better Organization of the Military Establishment’ Approved August 3, 1861, seems to leave no discretion to President, Secretary of War, General-in-Chief, or any one else.   The General-in-Chief, however says that, if agreeable to you, he will give you command of Fort-Adams (I think) at New-Port, R.I. by which your pay will be the same as if this law did not exist.  I advise you to try it, at all events.  Gen. Halleck says it will require substantially no labor, or thought, whatever.  Please telegraph whether you conclude to try it.”  He concluded: “And now, my dear General allow me to assure you that we here are all your sincere friends.”   A few days later, he was appointed to the Fort Adams command, but but the end of October, Anderson was retired for disability.

President Lincoln writes General Edward S. Sanford, in charge of the New York State militia a draft order: “Whereas by reason of unlawful combinations against the authority of the government of the United States, it has become impracticable, in my judgment to enforce, by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, the laws of the United States, within therefore I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do call forth yourself and your command, as part of the Militia of the State of New-York, to aid in suppressing said combinations and opposition to said laws; and I do order and direct that, for this object, you report forthwith to Major General John A. Dix.”

President Lincoln writes to New York Governor Horatio Seymour: “Whereas, by reason of unlawful combinations against the authority of the Government of the United States, it has become impracticable, in my judgment, to enforce, by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings, the laws of the United States, within therefore:

I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do call forth the Militia of the State of New-York, to aid in suppressing said combinations and opposition to said laws.  And I do respectfully request, and direct that, for this purpose, your Excellency do forthwith order Major General Sanford, with his command, to report for orders to Major General John A. Dix.

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