President discusses political situation while visiting telegraph office and makes tabulation to show presidential election will be close. William B. Hesseltine, Lincoln and the War Governors (New York: Knopf, 1948), 351.

Postpones execution of Dr. David M. Wright to October 23. "This is intended for his preparation and is final." Abraham Lincoln to John G. Foster, 15 October 1863, CW, 6:514.

Issues pass: "Allow Mrs. Robert S. Todd [step-mother of Mrs. Lincoln], widow, to go south and bring her daughter, Mrs. Genl B. Hardin Helm, with her children, North to Kentucky." Abraham Lincoln to Lyman B. Todd, 15 October 1863, CW, 6:517.

[Irwin withdraws $9 from Springfield Marine Bank, semiannual payment of interest on scholarship at Illinois State University. Pratt, Personal Finances, 177.]

Lincoln writes an order to Sec. Stanton : "This lady, Abigail C. Berea, had a husband and three sons in the war, and has been a nurse herself, without pay"; and asks to have her youngest son discharged because of poor health. "Let it be done." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 15 October 1863, CW, 6:516.