President sends for Asst. Sec. Fox before breakfast. Asks him to take Richmond newspapers to Gen. Hooker's headquarters. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

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." Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Hooker, 6 May 1863, CW, 6:198-99; Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Hooker, 6 May 1863, CW, 6:199; Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Hooker, 6 May 1863, CW, 6:199-200.

About 3 P.M. President receives news from Chancellorsville, Va., and leaves at 4 P.M. for army, taking Gen. Halleck with him. Brooks, Washington, 56.

Sen. Sumner (Mass.) visits White House and President informs him of defeat at Chancellorsville. Welles, Diary.