Note from President Abraham Lincoln to Maj. Gen. Henry Halleck

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Description

This note from President Lincoln to Major General Halleck was sent after the Union victories at Vicksburg and Gettysburg. In the note Lincoln expresses his view that if General George Meade could destroy Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s army before it crossed the Potomac River, the war would be over.

Transcript

War Department
Washington City
July 7, 1863

Major Genl Halleck
We have certain information that Vicksburg surrendered to Gen Grant on the 4th of July. Now if Gen. Meade can complete his work so gloriously prosecuted by the literal or substantial destruction of Lee’s army, the rebellion will be over.

Yours truly,
A. Lincoln

Citation

This primary source comes from the Records of the Adjutant General's Office.

National Archives Identifier: 1257664

Full Citation: Note from President Abraham Lincoln to Maj. Gen. Henry Halleck; 7/7/1863; Papers and Books of Major General Henry W. Halleck; Generals’ Papers and Books, 1830–1884; Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, Record Group 94; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/document/note-from-president-abraham-lincoln-to-maj-gen-henry-halleck/, April 2, 2026]

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