President Lincoln writes to Illinois Congressman Isaac N. Arnold, who had criticized General Halleck Henry W. Halleck, who oversees the Union military. Arnold claimed that the public had "lost . . . confidence" in Halleck, and many believed that Halleck's "hostility" caused other generals to leave "public service." Lincoln replies, "I am compelled to take a more impartial and unprejudiced view of things. Without claiming to be your superior, which I do not, my position enables me to understand my duty in all these matters better than you possibly can, and I hope you do not yet doubt my integrity." Isaac N. Arnold to Abraham Lincoln, 18 May 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, D. C.; Abraham Lincoln to Isaac N. Arnold, 26 May 1863, CW, 6:230-31.

There seems to be a "kind of council of war" in session at White House. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Cabinet discusses release of man condemned as spy. Welles, Diary.