Abraham Lincoln actually said...

"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;"

"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."

"It is due to Mr. Cameron to say that although he fully approved the proceedings they were not moved nor suggested by himself."

"There was no time to convene them."