Lincoln, Abraham, as sixteenth President

Autograph endorsement signed ("A. Lincoln"), [Washington], 11 October 1861, being seven lines on the verso of an autograph letter to Lincoln by General John McClernand, 1 page (4 1/4 x 5 in.; 117 x 128mm), Cairo, 10 October 1861, on printed stationery of the United States Military Telegraph; skillfully silked and attached to mat.

skillfully silked and attached to mat.
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Request for an officer granted and denied. General John McClernand respectfully requests that President Lincoln send Lieutenant J.H. Wilson to join him in Boston. Lincoln succinctly replies: "I really wish Gen. McClernand could be obliged by having sent to him, James H. Wilson, now a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army. Gen. M. is very energetic; but he does need one such man." Lincoln's reply is referred to the Secretary of War who, in turn, refers it to the Adjutant General Thomas A. Scott, Acting Secretary of War. Scott replies on 12 October 1861: "Lieut. Wilson is an officer of the Topographical Engineers. What is just said in relation to the application of Gov. Randall for Captain McIntyre applies with tenfold force here. The Chief of this Corps is actually unable to furnish officers for the proper duties of the Corps. General Sherman has applied time and again for an officer of this Corps, without success, because none could be spared. His expedition is starting without one. I have respectfully to submit, that should not be—and if Wilson can be spared, that he should be assigned to General Sherman."

Not in the Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln, ed. Basler and apparently unpublished.