Details
LINCOLN, Abraham, President. Autograph letter signed ("A. Lincoln") as President, to Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, Washington, D.C., 8 February 1864. 1 page, 8vo, "Executive Mansion" stationery, mat-burn, mounting discoloration in blank lower portion.
"...NO DANGER OF PRECIPITATE ACTION..."
A puzzling, cryptic letter, possibly in reference to a discussion with various Senators concerning a promotion for a distinguished officer, John McAllister Schofield: "I saw Doolittle and made your views known to him. He is altogether tractable on the question and thinks there is no danger of precipitate action."
James R. Doolittle (1815-1897), the Wisconsin Senator mentioned by Lincoln, had joined the Republican party on the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and was one of a committee who investigated the Harper's Ferry affair in 1859. As an influential Republican, he frequently recommended civil and military appointments to the President. In another letter, of 21 December to Stanton, Lincoln noted: "In regard to the Western matter, I believe the programme will have to stand substantially as I first put it....the social influences of St. Louis would inevitably tell injuriously upon Gen. Pope...and I think there is some force in that view." As to the nomination of "Gen.S" Lincoln doubts he could "get it through the Senate." See Collected Works, 7:84n. John McAllister Schofield (West Point, class of '57) was Assistant Adjutant General of the Army of the West, had been cited for conspicuous gallantry at the battle of Wilson's Creek, was promoted to Brigadier General in November 1864, and, years later, was awarded the Medal of Honor for Wilson's Creek. The present published 7:174, with footnote: "No clue has been found as to the import of this note."
"...NO DANGER OF PRECIPITATE ACTION..."
A puzzling, cryptic letter, possibly in reference to a discussion with various Senators concerning a promotion for a distinguished officer, John McAllister Schofield: "I saw Doolittle and made your views known to him. He is altogether tractable on the question and thinks there is no danger of precipitate action."
James R. Doolittle (1815-1897), the Wisconsin Senator mentioned by Lincoln, had joined the Republican party on the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and was one of a committee who investigated the Harper's Ferry affair in 1859. As an influential Republican, he frequently recommended civil and military appointments to the President. In another letter, of 21 December to Stanton, Lincoln noted: "In regard to the Western matter, I believe the programme will have to stand substantially as I first put it....the social influences of St. Louis would inevitably tell injuriously upon Gen. Pope...and I think there is some force in that view." As to the nomination of "Gen.S" Lincoln doubts he could "get it through the Senate." See Collected Works, 7:84n. John McAllister Schofield (West Point, class of '57) was Assistant Adjutant General of the Army of the West, had been cited for conspicuous gallantry at the battle of Wilson's Creek, was promoted to Brigadier General in November 1864, and, years later, was awarded the Medal of Honor for Wilson's Creek. The present published 7:174, with footnote: "No clue has been found as to the import of this note."