Abraham Lincoln actually said...

"Under the call for three-years' volunteers 50,000 men will be accepted as raised and reported by the respective State governors."

"It seems, therefore, to be proper that we should show to any of them who may apply for that purpose that, compatibly with our cardinal policy and with an enlightened view of our own interests, we are ..."

"You are hereby appointed chief of construction and transportation in the Department of the Rappahannock, with the rank of colonel, and attached to the staff of Major-General McDowell."

"You are authorized to do whatever you may deem expedient to open for use in the shortest possible time all military railroads now or hereafter required in said department;"