Letter
Abraham Lincoln to Andrew G. Curtin, June 15, 1863
WAR DEPARTMENT,
June 15, 1863.
June 15, 1863—2.30 a. m. Hon. ANDREW G. CURTIN, Governor of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg :
On arrival at 1 a. m., I had an interview with the Secretary of War, the Secretary of State, and the Solicitor of the War Department. On examination, it is found that the President cannot authorize a call in the form you suggest, the law in express terms prohibiting, but he will make a demand or call upon Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and West Virginia for 100,000 men, in view of the threatened invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania, to serve six months, unless sooner discharged.
by order of the President, the men
so called to be provided by the General Government with arms and
all usual supplies; the services of all men under this call to be taken
into consideration by the President, and a proper allowance be made
therefor, in any draft. The quota of Pennsylvania under the call of
all usual supplies; the services of all men under this call to be taken
into consideration by the President, and a proper allowance be made
therefor, in any draft. The quota of Pennsylvania under the call of
the President will probably be 50,000; Ohio, 30,000; Maryland,
10,000 ; and West Virginia, 10,000. "Will not this meet all our wants,
and the people respond promptly ?
Answer immediately, and keep this dispatch entirely private.
10,000 ; and West Virginia, 10,000. "Will not this meet all our wants,
and the people respond promptly ?
Answer immediately, and keep this dispatch entirely private.
Editor's Notes
From: Operations in N. Virginia, W. Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Pt. 1. Summary: The President informs Governor Curtin of a federal call for 100,000 six-month troops from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, and West Virginia to counter a threatened invasion, specifying quotas and provisions.
Topics
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 27, Part 1
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