Gen. Butler, invited by President to cabinet meeting at 10 A.M., describes capture of forts at Hatteras Inlet, N.C. In afternoon President, John G. Nicolay, and Seward family visit local army camp. Lincoln describes officer: "There's more in that Colonel than you'd think at first. He begins low, but he goes high." Directs driver to return to city via Capitol. NRR—Diary of Frances Seward Ms.; Nicolay to Bates, 2 September 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In evening President and Sec. Seward review 1st and 3d New York Regiments of Excelsior Brigade. N.Y. Times, 2 September 1861.

Commodore Stringham at White House in morning for conference with President. N.Y. Times, 7 September 1861.

White House callers: Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Harvey of Ohio, John F. Winslow, New York businessman, and Maj. John T. Sprague of Massachusetts. Yates to Lincoln, 3 September 1861; Seward to Lincoln, 6 September 1861; and Harris to Lincoln, 4 September 1861, all in Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President and Mrs. Lincoln, Sec. Seward, and Col. Ward H. Lamon visit Lamon's cavalry regiment and 23d Pennsylvania Regiment. New York Times, 7 September 1861.

Writes check to "Master Tad" for "one gold dollar." CW, 8:476.

President consults with Sec. Cameron and they decide to ask Gen. Fremont to send 5,000 well-armed infantry to Washington. Committee on Conduct of War, Report (1863), 3:133.

Lincoln writes to Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase on behalf of an old friend. Lincoln explains, "Mr. ThomasAlsop is my personal acquaintance of near twenty years standing, and one of the truest men I ever knew. He is needy now; and if you can at once, or in a reasonable time, find a clerkship for him, I shall be greatly obliged to you." Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 14 September 1861, CW, 11:33.

In evening President has long friendly chat at Executive Mansion with Sec. Welles who has just returned from Connecticut. West, Welles, 151.

Steams down Potomac at night to watch test of electro-mercury light invented by Prof. John T. Way. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, 15 September 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Lincoln's account is charged $1.00, again for "altering collar." Lutz Account Book.]

Today President conducts second cabinet meeting regarding removal of Gen. Fremont. Decides to await report of emissaries examining case. Nicolay memorandum of conversation, 17 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Sec. Welles at White House in evening. Welles to wife, 15 September 1861, Gideon Welles Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President requests Gen. Scott to prepare order for recruiting North Carolinians at Fort Hatteras, N.C. Abraham Lincoln to Winfield Scott, 16 September 1861, CW, 4:525.

Receives report through Scott that Gen. Fremont has ordered Col. Blair under arrest. Memorandum of conversation with President, 17 September 1861, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes a letter of introduction to Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase on behalf of Mrs. Ryder. Lincoln explains, "Mrs. Ryder—has learned that there is some 'lady'swork' in your Department in connection with the Treasury notes, and wishes a chance for a share of it, if such be the fact. Please give her a fair hearing." Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 16 September 1861, CW, 11:34.

President writes Gen. Scott: "Inform me what can be, and ought to be done as a recognition of the gallantry of the officers who fought with Gen. [Nathaniel] Lyon at Wilson's creek?" [Action in Mo., 10 August 1861]; Abraham Lincoln to Winfield Scott, 17 September 1861, CW, 4:526-27.

Sec. Chase hands President telegram from Gen. Sherman regarding available troops. Chase to Sherman, 17 September 1861, William T. Sherman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President appoints general officers for new Kentucky brigade under command of General William T. Ward. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 18 September 1861, 3:6; National Republican (Washington, DC), 19 September 1861, 2:1.

Minister for Denmark pays visit of ceremony at 12 M. Seward to Lincoln, 18 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Cabinet meets morning and afternoon to hear reports of Gen. Meigs and Postmaster Gen. Blair, who have studied conditions at St. Louis under Fremont regime. N.Y. Times, 19 September 1861.

Miles J. Fletcher, superintendent of public instruction, hands Lincoln report from Gov. Morton (Ind.) on Indiana regiments. Morton to Lincoln, 16 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President alerts secretaries of war and navy that joint expedition agreed upon "must be ready to move by the first of, or very early in, October." Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 18 September 1861, CW, 4:527-28.

President interviews James Baker regarding discharge of son under 18 from 2d Michigan Infantry. Abraham Lincoln to Winfield Scott, 19 September 1861, CW, 4:529.

At request of Sec. Seward holds conference with Col. Isaac M. Tucker, 2d New Jersey Regiment Volunteers. Seward to Lincoln, 19 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In long cabinet meeting, Postmaster General Montgomery Blair reports to President about arrest of Colonel Frank Blair in St. Louis for criticizing General John C. Fremont's policy. Blair to Fremont, 20 September 1861, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 20 September 1861, 2:2.

Mrs. Lincoln has few friends, including General and Mrs. Samuel P. Heintzelman, at White House for evening party. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In the afternoon, Lincoln, Secretary of War Simon Cameron, Secretary of State William Seward, Prince de Joinville, of France, and others observe as Colonel Hiram Berdan's "regiment of Sharp-shooters" demonstrates its "efficiency." A newspaper reports, "The Prince De Joinville and son and nephews are receiving unofficial but hospitable attentions from the President and Secretary of State." During the shooting exhibition, "Two hundred and sixty shots were fired, the target being completely riddled. The President made an excellent shot." New York Times, 21 September 1861, 1:1-2.

Lincoln investigates charge of disloyalty against Isaac S. Miller, government employee, and recommends that he retain job at Arsenal. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, [21 September 1861], CW, 4:530-31.

Personally escorts Joshua F. Speed to office of Adjt. Gen. Thomas to see that arms, equipment, and officers are supplied Gen. Anderson's department without delay. Speed to Anderson, 24 September 1861, Robert Anderson Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President receives telegram from Gov. Morton (Ind.) and forwards it to Gen. Fremont: "Owensboro, 40 miles above Evansville, in possession of secessionists. Green river is navigable. Owensboro, must be seized. We want a gunboat sent up from Paducah for that purpose." Abraham Lincoln to John C. Fremont, 22 September 1861, CW, 4:533.

Explains in letter to Sen. Browning (Ill.) that Gen. Fremont's proclamation as to confiscation of property and liberation of slaves "is purely political." Abraham Lincoln to Orville H. Browning, 22 September 1861, CW, 4:531-33.

President receives telegram from Gen. Anderson, Louisville, Ky.: "Company of regular infantry absolutely necessary for ordnance stores and a provost guard." Anderson to Lincoln, 23 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Sec. Seward at White House at 8 P.M. to discuss Gen. Fremont. Seward to Lincoln, 23 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[John G. Nicolay adds to furnishings of Executive Offices with purchase of mahogany sofa ($24.00) and 6 chairs ($18.00) from G. M. Wight. DNA—RG 217, General Accounting Office, 142-060.]

At 4 P.M. President and Mrs. Lincoln, Generals McClellan, Mansfield, and McDowell, heads of departments, foreign ministers, and many distinguished personages assemble on plain three miles east of Capitol to witness grand review of artillery and cavalry. New York Times, 25 September 1861; Evening Star (Washington, DC) 25 September 1861, 2:2.

President interviews Christopher C. Denny, probably clothing manufacturer of Leicester, Mass., and directs him to secretary of war. Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 25 September 1861, CW, 4:535.

Messenger from Gov. William Gilpin (Colorado Terr.) calls upon Lincoln to obtain military supplies. Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 25 September 1861, CW, 4:536.

President approves proposals of Samuel A. Pancoast, resident Hampshire County, Va., for procuring salt and sends him to Gen. Scott for military clearance. Abraham Lincoln to Winfield Scott, 25 September 1861, CW, 4:536.

President receives report from Governor Richard Yates (Ill.) that to date war effort has cost state $3,533,511.02. Yates to Lincoln, 26 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Attends divine service "on day of humiliation, prayer and fasting for all people of the nation." New York Times, 27 September 1861; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 25 September 1861, 3:2.

At telegraph office jokes with employees: "Gentlemen, this is a fast day and I am pleased to observe that you are working as fast as you can." David H. Bates, Lincoln Stories Told by him in the Military Office in the War Department during the Civil War (New York: Rudge, 1926), 31-32.

Attends afternoon lecture on the U.S. Constitution by Professor Amasa McCoy in House of Representatives in observance of National Fast Day. National Republican (Washington, DC), 25 September 1861, 3:1, 26 September 1861, 2:1; Invitation, 25 September 1861, Gideon Welles Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Telegraphs Governor Oliver P. Morton (Ind.): "We are supplying all the demands for arms as fast as we can . . . a week ago we heard that the enemy was encamped on Muldroughs hill now our friends are encamped upon it . . . that is an improvement." Abraham Lincoln to Oliver P. Morton, 26 September 1861, CW, 4:537-38.

Lincoln invites Gen. McClellan to attend cabinet meeting in Gen. Scott's office. "Before we got through the General 'raised a row with me.' " McClellan, War for Union, 91.

Interviews Miss Laura Redden, deaf writer from Missouri, about book she is writing. Bates to Lincoln, 27 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Withholds pass to accompany vessel down Potomac solicited by Henry Wikoff, correspondent for New York "Herald". Abraham Lincoln to James G. Bennett, 28 September 1861, CW, 4:539.

Lincoln receives Indiana delegation seeking military commission for Thomas A. Morris, former brigadier general of volunteers. Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 28 September 1861, CW, 4:539.

Interviews Charles Weston, former military storekeeper at Watertown Arsenal, Conn., who wants appointment as storekeeper. Abraham Lincoln to George M. Weston, 28 September 1861, CW, 4:540.

President receives letter written by Col. Blair to Adjt. Gen. Thomas containing charges against official conduct of Gen. Fremont. Blair to Thomas, 26 September 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Tells Gov. Morton (Ind.): "We are doing the very best we can" in sending arms. Supply limited and must be sent where needed most. "Army in our front may make a half circle around Southward, and move on Louisville; but when they do, we will make a half circle around Northward, and meet them." Abraham Lincoln to Oliver P. Morton, 29 September 1861, CW, 4:541-42.

President confers with three gentlemen from Baltimore concerning release of Mayor Brown arrested for "complicity with those in armed rebellion against the Government of the United States." Statement Concerning Arrests in Maryland, [c. 15 September 1861], CW, 4:523; N.Y. Times, 4 October 1861.