Robert C. Schenck to Robert C. Schenck, October 21, 1863

Major-General SCHENCK, Baltimore, Md. : A delegation is here saying that our armed colored troops are at many, if not all, the landings on the Patuxent River, and by their presence with arms in their hands are frightening quiet people, and producing great confusion. Have they been sent there by any order; and if so, for what reason ? : A. LINCOLN. BALTIMORE, October 21, 1863. (Received 6.45 p. m.) The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, Washington, D. C.: The delegation from Saint Mary’s County have grossly misrepresented matters. Colonel Birney went under my orders to look foi a site for a camp of instruction and rendezvous for colored troops. (See his report this day forwarded to the Adjutant-General.) e took with him a recruiting squad, who were stationed, each with one officer, at Millstone, Spencer’s, Saint Leonard’s, Duke’s, Forest Grove, and Benedict Landings, on the Patuxent. They are under special instructions, good discipline, and have harmed no one. The only disorder or violence has been that two secessionists, named Southeron, have killed Second Lieutenant White at Benedict; but we hope to arrest the murderers. The officer wasa white man. The only danger of confusion must be from the citizens, not the soldiers, but Colonel Birney himself visited all the landings, talked with the citizens, and the only apprehension they expressed was that their slavesmight leave them. It isa neighborhood of rabid secessionists. I beg that the President will not intervene, and thus embolden them.

ROBT. C. SCHENCK,