12/31/1862
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu...
"I hope that upon your return to your homes you will find your friends and loved ones well and happy."
"Believing that no occasion could arise which would more fully correspond with the intention of the law or be more pregnant with happy influence as an example, I cordially recommend that Captain D. G. ..."
"For their services and gallantry on those occasions I cordially recommend that they should by name receive a vote of thanks of Congress."
"Now, therefore, be it known that I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, pursuant to the authority in me vested by the fifth section of the act of Congress approved on the 13th of July las..."