July 6, 1862 (Sunday): Halleck In A Tight Spot

Governor William Sprague of Rhode Island

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington City, D. C., July 6, 1862.
Major-General HALLECK,
Corinth, Miss.:
    MY DEAR SIR: This introduces Gov. William Sprague, of Rhode Island. He is now Governor for the third time and Senator-elect of the United States.
    I know the object of his visit to you. He has my cheerful consent to go, but not my direction. He wishes to get you and part of your force, one or both, to come here. You already know I should be exceedingly glad of this if, in your judgment, it could be without endangering positions and operations in the Southwest, and I now repeat what I have more than once said by telegraph. "Do not come or send a man if, in your judgment, it will endanger any point you deem important to hold, or endangers or delays the Chattanooga expedition."
    Still, please give my friend Governor Sprague a full and fair hearing.


Yours, very truly,
A. LINCOLN.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 17, Part 2, Page 76.

This odd letter regards Sprague's visit to Halleck to try and free up forces from Halleck's command to send to McClellan at Richmond.  Lincoln says he is not directing Sprague, but encourages him to listen to him advocate on behalf of giving up troops from his command.  At the same time he says not to send even one man if it will delay taking Chattanooga or cause the loss of any important position.  One can only imagine Halleck receiving this message from the President of the United States, and what mental gymnastics interpreting it required. The letter may also indicate Lincoln still believed McClellan capable of moving away from Harrison's Landing and making another attempt at Richmond.  Given the condition of the army this was likely not realistic.