July 23, 1861 (Tuesday): Lincoln Visits The Troops

Georgetown Ferry (Library of Congress)

                                                            HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,

                                                                              Washington, July 23, 1861.

Brigadier-General McDowell, Arlington:

   The General-in-Chief directs that you have a suitable escort at the Georgetown Ferry at one o’clock to-day to meet the President of the United States, and accompany him throughout lines to visit the troops.

   The General also directs that after this service is performed all the companies of cavalry except two be sent over to this side the river and report to General Mansfield.

                                                           

                                                            E. D. TOWNSEND,

                                                     Assistant Adjustant-General.

Official Records, Series I, Vol. 2, Page 758

On this trip Lincoln and Secretary of State Seward met a captain who complained that General Sherman had threatened to shoot him.  Lincoln told the captain not to trust Sherman “for I believe he might do it.”