I am very little inclined on any occasion to say anything unless I hope to produce some good by it.

I occupy a position that enables me to believe that these two gentlemen are not nearly so deep in the quarrel as some presuming to be their friends.

I believe he is a brave and able man, and I stand here, as justice requires me to do, to take upon myself what has been charged on the Secretary of War as withholding from him.

The only thing I think of just now not likely to be better said by some one else is a matter in which we have heard some other persons blamed for what I did myself.

I say here, so far as I know, the Secretary of War has withheld no one thing at any time in my power to give him.

That a draft of 300,000 militia be immediately called into the service of the United States, to serve for nine months unless sooner discharged.

If any State shall not by the 15th of August furnish its quota of the additional 300,000 volunteers authorized by law the deficiency of volunteers in that State will also be made up by special draft from the militia.

Regulations will be prepared by the War Department and presented to the President with the object of securing the promotion of officers of the Army and Volunteers for meritorious and distinguished services and of preventing the nomination…

All leaves of absence and furloughs, by whomsoever given, unless by the War Department, are revoked and absolutely annulled.

All officers and privates fit for duty absent at that time will be regarded as absent without cause, their pay will be stopped, and they dismissed from the service or treated as deserters unless restored.

Any officer or private whose health permits him to visit watering places or places of amusement, or to make social visits or walk about the town, city, or neighborhood in which he may be, will be considered fit for military duty and as…

No officer shall be restored to his rank unless by the judgment of a court of inquiry, to be approved by the President, he shall establish that his absence was with good cause.

The only excuses allowed for the absence of officers or privates after the 11th day of August are: First. The order or leave of the War Department. Second. Disability from wounds received in service. Third. Disability from disease that…

I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby proclaim to and warn all persons within the contemplation of said sixth section to cease participating in, aiding, countenancing, or abetting the existing rebellion or any…

that while property may be destroyed for proper military objects, none shall be destroyed in wantonness of malice.

That military commanders within the States of Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas in an orderly manner seize and use any property, real or personal, which may be necessary or…

That military and naval commanders shall employ as laborers within and from said States so many persons of African descent as can be advantageously used for military or naval purposes, giving them reasonable wages for their labor.

That as to both property and persons of African descent accounts shall be kept sufficiently accurate and in detail to show quantities and amounts and from whom both property and such persons shall have come, as a basis upon which…