President summons military officers to special cabinet meeting on state of Union. Gen. Irvin McDowell presents plan for attacking Confederates under Gen. Beauregard at Manassas. Gen. Scott proposes sending an expedition down the Mississippi, establishing blockade, and starving South into submission as best way to suppress rebellion. Thinks troops too raw for battle and disagrees with military authorities. President and cabinet believe public wants action and further delay might cool Northern zeal. Benjamin P. Thomas, Abraham Lincoln: A Biography (New York: Knopf, 1952), 270; Randall, Lincoln, 1:391.

President officiates at flag-raising and Marine Band concert on south lawn of White House. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 28 June 1861, 3:1; 1 July 1861, 4:2; National Intelligencer, 1 July 1861.