October 12, 1863
President Lincoln writes General William Rosecrans: “As I understand, [Ambrose] Burnside is menaced from the East, and so can not go to you without surrendering East Tennessee. I now think the enemy will not attack Chattanooga; and I think you have to look out for his making a concentrated drive at Burnside. You and Burnside now have him by the throat, and he must break your hold, or perish. I therefore think you better to try to hold the river up to Kingston, leaving Burnside to what is above there. Sherman is coming to you, though gaps in the telegraph prevent our knowing how far he is advanced. He and Hooker will so support you on the West & North-West, as to enable you too look East & North East. This is not an order. Gen. Halleck will give his views.”
President Lincoln writes a Boston woman, Mrs. Alice C. Smith: “Dear Madame, I shall have to acknowledge very briefly your letter informing me of the prosperity of your little boy whom you so kindly named after me. You may rest assured that my little namesake has my best wishes that he may grow to be a good man and a good citizen.”
John G. Nicolay telegraphs President Lincoln:“Please delay any opinion as to [Colorado Territorial] Governor [John] Evans until you hear from me”
Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War 
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