Looking back at Lincoln: On May 8, 1863

Lincoln is still leaning on General Joseph Hooker.

On this day in 1863, after meeting with Brigadier General August Willich (who the Confederates had just released from Richmond's Libby Prison,) Lincoln wrote again to General Hooker. In short, Lincoln seems to be once again encouraging his general du jour, suggesting that Richmond isn't in a position to put up much of a fight (and thus with a bit of aggressiveness on the part of Union leadership, could perhaps be taken.)

Unfortunately, Lincoln wouldn't have his aggressive commander until 1864, and Richmond wouldn't be in Union hands until 1865.

Judging from the daily letters, I'd have to guess that privately, Lincoln's frustration with Hooker hasn't lessened...

Executive Mansion,
Washington, May 8. 1863.

Major General Hooker.

The news is here, of the capture, by our forces of Grand Gulf---a large & very important thing. Gen. Willich, [2] an exchanged prisoner, just from Richmond, has talked with me this morning. He was there when our cavalry cut the roads in that vicinity. He says there was not a sound pair legs in Richmond, and that our men, had they known it, could have safely gone in and burnt every thing & brought us Jeff. Davis. We captured and parold three or four hundred men. He says, as he came to City point, there was an army three miles long (Longstreet's he thought) moving towards Richmond. Milroy has captured a despatch of Gen. Lee, in which he says his loss was fearful, in his late battle with you. [3]. A. LINCOLN

Annotation

[1] ALS, IHi.

[2] Brigadier General August Willich had been captured December 31, 1862, at Stone River near Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

[3] General Milroy's telegram to General Schenck of 8 P.M., May 6, reads in part: "A telegraphic dispatch was received at Edenburg an hour before my forces took this place, addressed to Major Myers [Samuel B. Myers] rebel commander . . . signed by General Lee, stating that they (the rebels) had gained a glorious victory, but with fearful loss on both sides. . . ." (OR, I, XXV, II, 437).