January 28, 1864
President Lincoln writes General Frederick Steele regarding reconstruction in Arkansas: “I have addressed a letter to you, and put it in the hands of Mr. Gantt and other Arkansas gentlemen, containing a programme for an election in that State. This letter will be handed you by some of these gentlemen. Since writing, it I see that a convention in Arkansas, having the same general object, has take some action, which I am afraid may clash somewhat with my programme. I therefore can do no better than to ask you to see Mr. Gantt immediately on his return, and with him, do what you and he may deem necessary to harmonize the two plans into one, and then put it through will all possible vigor. Be sure to retain the free State constitutional provision in some unquestionable form, and you and he can fix the rest. The points I have made in the programme have been well considered. Take hold with an honest heart and a strong hand. Do not let any questionable man control or influence you.”
Continuing to focus on his renomination by the Republican Party, President Lincoln meets with Pennsylvania Republican leaders – editor John W. Forney, former Governor Simon Cameron, and Henry C. Johnson, speaker of Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War 
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