President orders provisional court of record for Louisiana and appoints Charles A. Peabody of New York to be judge. Executive Order Establishing A Provisional Court in Louisiana, 20 October 1862, CW, 5:467-68.

Gen. John Cochrane discusses military situation with Lincoln and urges replacement of Gen. Halleck with Gen. McClellan. Cochrane to Lincoln, 26 October 1862, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln deposits May salary warrant for $2,083.34 in Riggs Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 182.

Endorses expedition of Gen. McClernand to states of Indiana, Illinois and Iowa for purpose of organizing troops: "To the end, that when a sufficient force, not required by the operations of General Grant's command, shall be raised, an expedition may be organized under General McClernand's command against Vicksburg and to clear the Mississippi river and open navigation to New Orleans." Abraham Lincoln to John A. McClernand, 20 October 1862, CW, 5:468-69.

Writes memorandum on Army of Potomac showing grand total of 231,997 troops of which 144,662 are fit for duty. Confederate Army shows total of 89,563. Memorandum on Army of the Potomac, [20 October] 1862, CW, 5:469; Memorandum on Confederate Army, [20 October] 1862, CW, 5:469-70.

Publishes notice that draftees who may claim exemption on account of alienage should apply to State Dept. or through their ministers or consuls. Notice to Aliens, 20 October 1862, CW, 5:470.