President arrives at Navy Yard about 5 A.M. on return trip from Fredericksburg, Va. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; National Republican (Washington, DC), 26 May 1862, 2:1.

Visits War Dept. in morning. Browning, Diary.

Confers with Sec. Stanton regarding troop movements. Committee on Conduct of War, Report (1863), 1:274.

Spends much of day in telegraph office directing troop movements under Gens. Fremont and McDowell in consequence of Gen. Banks' critical position resulting from Confederate break-through at Front Royal, Va. Abraham Lincoln to John C. Fremont, 24 May 1862, CW, 5:230; Abraham Lincoln to John C. Fremont, 24 May 1862, CW, 5:231; Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 24 May 1862, CW, 5:231; Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 24 May 1862, CW, 5:231-32; Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 24 May 1862, CW, 5:232; Abraham Lincoln to Irvin McDowell, 24 May 1862, CW, 5:232-33; Abraham Lincoln to Irvin McDowell, 24 May 1862, CW, 5:233; Abraham Lincoln to Dixon S. Miles, 24 May 1862, CW, 5:234; Abraham Lincoln to Rufus Saxton, 24 May 1862, CW, 5:234.

Sends dispatch to Fremont: "The exposed condition of General Banks makes his immediate relief a point of paramount importance. You are therefore directed by the President to move against Jackson at Harrisonberg and operate against the enemy in such way as to relieve Banks." Abraham Lincoln to John C. Fremont, 24 May 1862, CW, 5:230.

Telegraphs Gen. Rufus Saxton at Harper's Ferry, Va.: (1 P.M.) "Please inform us, if possible, what has become of the force which pursued Banks yesterday. Also, any other information you have." Abraham Lincoln to Rufus Saxton, 24 May 1862, CW, 5:234.

To Gen. Halleck near Corinth, Miss., who seeks reinforcements, Lincoln writes: "We do the best we can . . . each of our commanders along our line from Richmond to Corinth supposes himself to be confronted by numbers superior to his own." Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 24 May 1862, CW, 5:231.

Transmits report of secretary of state on Mexican affairs to Senate. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 24 May 1862, CW, 5:234.