Cabinet accepts resignation of General Winfield Scott and decides upon appointment of General George B. McClellan as successor. President orders Bvt. Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott placed on list of retired officers of Army of U.S. Later calls at Scott's residence with members of cabinet. Order Retiring Winfield Scott from Command, 1 November 1861, CW, 5:10-11; National Republican (Washington, DC), 2 November 1861, 2:2.

Informs McClellan: "I have designated you to command the whole army." McClellan, War for Union, 200; Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 1 November 1861, CW, 5:9-10.

In evening, with John Hay, visits McClellan and Sec. Seward at their homes. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Capt. McKinney (Thomas J. McKenny?) delivers President's order dated October 24, 1861 relieving Gen. Fremont of command of Dept. of West. Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Curtis, 24 October 1861, CW, 4:562-63.

President's order removing Gen. Fremont from command of Dept. of West is delivered. Curtis to Lincoln, 6 November 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President writes Sec. Cameron: "I think any officer who has been dismissed on suspicion of disloyalty, but does not go over to the enemy, continuing to protest his loyalty, entitles himself to a hearing." Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 2 November 1861, CW, 5:11.

Writes Gen. Joseph G. Totten, Chief of Engineers: "If Genl Totten & myself are both alive, and in place in June 1862, & he Genl T. will remind me of it, I then wish to give a Cadetship to a son of Professor [Dennis H.] Mahan." Abraham Lincoln to Joseph G. Totten, 2 November 1861, CW, 5:13.

President telegraphs Gen. William K. Strong at St. Louis: "Gen. McClellan is in command of substantially the whole Army, including the Department of the West." Abraham Lincoln to William K. Strong, 3 November 1861, CW, 5:13.

President suggests that plans for Maine's coastal defense be laid before engineer and ordnance bureaus. Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 4 November 1861, CW, 5:13-14.

Announces he can receive visitors from 10 a.m. to noon only to provide time to prepare for upcoming meeting of Congress. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 4 November 1861, 2:2.

Spends an hour at Gen. McClellan's headquarters. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

On bill for $5,198.00 from Wm. H. Carryl and brother for "French Satin Brocatelle Curtain, Tassels, Fringes, Cornices, Hall Carpets, Laces Labor Freight & Cartage," Mrs. Lincoln writes: "This bill is correct in accordance with my purchases from Mr. Carryl—The goods are now here—Mr. Lincoln will please have bill paid." Lincoln endorses verso: "Approved and referred to the accounting officers for settlement." DNA—RG 217, General Accounting Office, 142-006.

[Local newspaper publishes Willie Lincoln's poem, "Lines on the Death of Colonel Edward Baker." National Republican (Washington, DC), 4 November 1861, 1:1.]

Cabinet votes to acquire two steam fire engines for Washington. N.Y. Tribune, 6 November 1861.

Gen. Halleck arrives in Washington and goes to White House with Gen. McClellan to meet President and cabinet. N.Y. Times, 6 November 1861.

President interviews Massachusetts delegation consisting of James Lawrence, Dr. Ira Russell, Army surgeon, and Dwight Foster, attorney general of Massachusetts, regarding promotion of Col. Charles Devens. Memorandum: Appointment of Charles Devens, 5 November 1861, CW, 5:15.

Receives October salary warrant for $2,083.33. [Irwin withdraws $12.50 from Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 182, 176.]

Lincoln sends congratulations to José Joaquin Perez, new President of Chile. Abraham Lincoln to José Joaquin Perez, 9 November 1861, CW, 5:19.

Receives Gen. McClellan's apology for being unable to attend him this evening. Marcy to Lincoln, 9 November 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln has long interview with Cong. Washburne (Ill.) and hears report on government contracts in Dept. of West. Abraham Lincoln to John A. McClernand, 10 November 1861, CW, 5:20-21.

Holds conference on military matters at Gen. McClellan's headquarters in evening. Journal, 11 November 1861, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Writes social letter to Gen. John A. McClernand: "Some of your forces are without arms, but the same is true here, and at every other place where we have considerable bodies of troops. The plain matter-of-fact is, our good people have rushed to the rescue of the Government, faster than the government can find arms to put in their hands." Abraham Lincoln to John A. McClernand, 10 November 1861, CW, 5:20-21.

Augustus W. Bradford, newly elected governor of Maryland, escorted by former Sen. Johnson (Md.) visits President. N.Y. Times, 12 November 1861.

Lincoln watches torchlight parade of Blenker's Germans in honor of Gen. McClellan's promotion pass White House. Later, with John Hay, visits McClellan's house. Hay, Letters and Diary.

President replies to address presented by delegation from Baltimore: "The Government of the United States has been diligently engaged in endeavoring . . . to save Baltimore and Maryland from the danger of complete ruin through an unnecessary and unnatural rebellion." Reply to Delegation of Baltimore Citizens, 15 November 1861, CW, 5:24.

Lincoln writes to Joseph Holt, who is traveling to Missouri as part of a government commission to report on the controversy surrounding military policies in that state. Lincoln acknowledges Holt's suggestions regarding various military assignments. Lincoln notes that his good friend, David Davis, serves on the commission with Holt, and he adds, "[I] assure you, you were never associated with a better man." Joseph Holt to Abraham Lincoln, 2 November 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Holt, 12 November 1861, CW, 5:21-22.

President and John Hay, assistant secretary to President, have tea in evening with family of Assistant Secretary of the Navy Fox. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Baltimore delegation visits President on behalf of unemployed and destitute laborers in city. Frank Moore, ed., The Rebellion Record: A Diary of American Events, 11 vols. & 1 supplemental vol. (New York: Van Nostrand, 1861-68), 3:Diary.

Lincoln, Sec. Seward, and John Hay wait in Gen. McClellan's residence to see him. McClellan arrives home from wedding and retires to bed without speaking to President. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Mrs. Lincoln returns to Washington. N.Y. Times, 14 November 1861.

Private Secretary John G. Nicolay returns to Washington with his health "completely restored." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 14 November 1861, 2:2.

Lincoln writes to Secretary of War Simon Cameron introducing Charles S. Todd, of Kentucky. Todd, who is "distantly related" to First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, served in diplomatic positions under Presidents James Monroe and John Tyler. Lincoln calls Todd "a gentleman of high standing . . . He will present strong recommendations from Kentuckians; and I hope you will, if possible, find some employment for him, in which he can help in our present troubles." John J. Crittenden to Abraham Lincoln, 6 November 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 13 November 1861, CW, 5:22-23.

Lincoln receives account of Leonard Swett's survey of Dept. of West. Swett to Lincoln, 9 November 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Consults with Gen. McClellan and Asst. Sec. Fox about another "big expedition." Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Calls at Secretary of State William H. Seward's house in evening and meets newspapermen W. H. Russell, correspondent London Times, and Henry J. Raymond, editor New York Times. Russell, Diary.

Interviews Gen. Charles P. Stone. New York Tribune, 16 November 1861.

Postmaster Gen. Blair and wife call on President. Blair confers with Lincoln about Trent affair involving removal by Capt. Charles Wilkes (USN) in command of USS San Jacinto, of former Sen. James M. Mason (Va.) and former Sen. John Slidell (La.) Confederate envoys, from British ship. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

In afternoon President and several members of cabinet board steamer Mount Washington at Navy Yard for Alexandria, Va., to inspect USS Pensacola. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; New York Herald, 16 November 1861; National Republican (Washington, DC), 16 November 1861, 2:2.

Gen. Edwin V. Sumner interviews President and Gen. McClellan. N.Y. Tribune, 18 November 1861.

Sen. Sumner (Mass.) and Postmaster Gen. Blair urge Lincoln to surrender Mason and Slidell at once. Monaghan, Diplomat, 170.

President writes Adjt. Gen. Thomas: "Lieut. John Watt who, I believe, has been detailed to do service about the White-House, is not needed for that purpose, and you assign him to his proper place in Regiment." Abraham Lincoln to Lorenzo Thomas, 16 November 1861, CW, 5:25.

At 1 p.m., Lincoln and Secretary of State William H. Seward board the steamer Mount Washington, to "visit the flotilla." New York Times, 24 November 1861, 1:1.

In the evening, Hermann the Magician performs at the White House for Lincoln and "family, several members of the Cabinet, and some invited friends." Lincoln's secretary John G. Nicolay marvels at Hermann's ability "to pull Canary birds from a spectator's ear, or Guinea pigs from a lady's" purse. Nicolay is most impressed by Hermann's "masterly feats of mathematical combinations in cards and clairvoyant vision." Nicolay concludes, "One goes from [Hermann's] soirees with faith confirmed and strengthened in the father of lies." New York Times, 24 November 1861, 1:1; Michael Burlingame, ed., With Lincoln in the White House: Letters, Memoranda, and Other Writings of John G. Nicolay, 1860-1865 (Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 2000), 63, 212-213n

Mrs. Lincoln, accompanied by Comdr. Dahlgren and John Hay, goes down Potomac on board steamer Mount Washington as far as Stump Neck. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 27 November 1861, 3:1.

Invites about 100 guests, including Gen. Heintzelman and wife, to White House for evening's entertainment. Journal, 25 November 1861, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President examines plans of Anna Ella Carroll, pamphleteer, for Tennessee River campaign submitted by Asst. Sec. Scott. Anna E. Carroll, "Plan of the Tennessee Campaign," North American Review 142 (April 1886):345-47.

Meets with Sec. Seward, Comdr. Dahlgren, and others at Gen. McClellan's residence in evening. Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Endorses letter of former President Fillmore regarding appointment of nephew, George M. Fillmore: "Respectfully submitted to the Sec. of War, remarking that it be very agreeable to me for Mr. Fillmore to be obliged." Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron, 30 November 1861, CW, 5:33.