Cabinet Meeting at the White House Focuses on Politics

February 26, 1864

“Only three of us were at the Cabinet council to-day,” wrote Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles in his diary. “Some matters of interest were touched upon, but there was soon a discussion on recent political movements.  The President has been advised of the steps taken to forward the Chase operations.  Circulars were put in his hands before signed.”

President Lincoln issues “General Orders, No. 76″ regarding deserters: “The President directs that the sentences of all deserters, who have been condemned by Court Martial to death, and that have not been otherwise acted upon by him, be mitigated to imprisonment during the war, at the Dry Tortugas, Florida, where they will be sent under suitable guards by orders from army commanders.

The Commanding Generals, who have power to act on proceedings of Courts Martial in such cases, are authorized in special cases to restore to duty deserters under sentence, when in their judgment the service will be thereby benefited.

For the second straight night, President Lincoln watches actor Edwin Booth at Grover’s Theater.

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