President appears before Committee on Conduct of War and describes 400-foot railroad bridge across Potomac built by Col. Haupt as having nothing in it but cornstalks and beanpoles. Flower, Stanton, 225.

Spends part of evening at War Department. Browning, Diary.

Stops by Ford's Theatre, 511 10th St. NW., where Mrs. Lincoln and party are attending concert by opera star Clara Louise Kellogg. David R. Barbee, "The Musical Mr. Lincoln," Abraham Lincoln Quarterly 5 (December 1949):450-51.

Recommends Marshal Ward H. Lamon as "my particular friend, born and raised at Bunker-Hill, an excellent horseman, and, I think, will be most valuable for scouting purposes." Recommendation for Ward H. Lamon, 28 May 1862, CW, 5:247.

Telegraphs Gen. McClellan: "I am very glad of Gen: F. J. [Fitz John] Porter's victory [Hanover Court House]. Still, if it was a total rout of the enemy, I am puzzled to know why the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad was not seized. . . . That the whole force of the enemy is concentrating in Richmond, I think can not be certainly known to you or me. . . . I am painfully impressed with the importance of the struggle before you; and I shall aid you all I can consistently with my view of due regard to all points." Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 28 May 1862, CW, 5:244-45.

Telegraphs Gen. McDowell at Manassas Junction: "You say Gen. [John W.] Geary's scouts report they find no enemy this side of the Blue Ridge. Neither do I. Have they been to the Blue Ridge looking for them? . . . I think the evidence now preponderates that [Gen. Richard S.] Ewell [(CSA)] and Jackson are still about Winchester. Assuming this, it is, for you a question of legs. Put in all the speed you can. I have told Fremont as much, and directed him to drive at them as fast as possible. By the way, I suppose you know, Fremont has got up to Moorefield, instead of going to Harrisonburg." Abraham Lincoln to Irvin McDowell, 28 May 1862, CW, 5:246; Abraham Lincoln to Irvin McDowell, 28 May 1862, CW, 5:246.