Unknown, January 31, 1862

No. 1. Washington, January 31, 1862. Ordered, That all the disposable force of the Army of the Potomac, after providing safely for the defense of Washington, be formed into an expedition for the immediate object of seizing and oceupying a point upon the railroad southwestward of what is known as Manassas Junction, all details to be in the discretion of the Commander-inChief, and the expedition to move before or on the 22d day of February next. : ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

I asked his excellency whether this order was to be regarded as final, or whether I could be permitted to submit in writing my objections to his plan and my reasons for preferring my own. Permission was accorded, and I therefore prepared the letter to the Secretary of War which is given below. `

Before this had been submitted to the President he addressed me the following note: ExECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, February 3, 1862.

~My DEAR SIR: You and I have distinct and different plans for a movement of the

Army of the Potomac—yours to be down the Chesapeake, up the Rappahannock to Urbana, and across land to the terminus of the railroad on the York River; mine to move directly tora point on the railroads southwest of Manassas. *

*For the President’s memorandum accompanying this note, see under same date in “Correspondence, etc.,” post.

Tiat Dos not our planinvolve a greatly larger expenditure of time and money than mine? :

2d. Wherein is a victory more certain by your plan than mine?

3d. Wherein is a victory more valuable by your plan bes aa

Ath. In fact, would it not be less valuable in this, thaw it would break no great line of the enemy’s communications, while mine would? —— i

5th. In case of disaster, would not a retreat be more difficult by your plan than – mine? , i –

These questions were substantially, answered by the following letter ‘of the same date to the Secretary of War: