Lincoln On pins and needles

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OTD - May 4, 1863
Sec. Welles meets with the President in the afternoon at the War Dept. where they await news from Chancellorsville, Va.
"We [includes President] have been in a terrible suspense here for two days as the result of a battle which Joe Hooker is fighting on the Rappahannock."
Lincoln telegraphs Hooker 3:10 P.M.: "We have news here that the enemy has reoccupied heights above Fredericksburg. Is that so?"

 

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May 5th
Washington, DC.

Cabinet meets. President reads telegram from Gen. Hooker admitting that Confederates hold works on heights of Fredericksburg, Va. Little else of importance.
In afternoon Sen. Sumner (Mass.) and Sec. Welles at Navy Dept. discuss army under Hooker. President arrives at department and joins discussion.

 

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May 6th
9:40 A.M. Lincoln telegraphs Hooker: "God bless you, and all with you. I know you will do your best." 11:40 A.M. Lincoln to Hooker: "We have, through Gen. Dix, the contents of Richmond papers of the fifth (5th). Gen. Dix's despatch in full, is going to you by Capt. Fox of the Navy." 12:30 P.M. Lincoln to Hooker: "Just as I had telegraphed you contents of Richmond papers, showing that our cavalry has not failed, I received General Butterfield's of 11 a.m. yesterday. This, with the great rain of yesterday and last night, securing your right flank, I think puts a new face upon your case; but you must be the judge." 4:30 P.M. Hooker to Lincoln: "Have this moment returned to camp. On my way received your telegrams of 11 a.m. and 12.30. The army had previously recrossed the river, and was on its return to camp. . . . I saw no way of giving the enemy a general battle with the prospect of success."
About 3 P.M. President receives news from Chancellorsville, Va., and leaves at 4 P.M. for army, taking Gen. Halleck with him.
Sen. Sumner (Mass.) visits White House and President informs him of defeat at Chancellorsville.

 

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May 8th
President Lincoln writes to Commander of the Army of the Potomac Major General Joseph Hooker regarding the General's recent defeat at Chancellorsville, Virginia. Earlier in the day, Lincoln met with Brigadier General August Willich, whom the Confederates released from Richmond, Virginia's Libby Prison. Lincoln explains,"[Willich] was there when our cavalry cut the roads in that vicinity. He says there was not a sound pair [of] legs in Richmond, and that our men, had they known it, could have safely gone in and burnt every thing & brought us Jeff. Davis."