With Malice Toward None

The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition    

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In response to Lincoln’s concern about the slow pace of the Union troops under General George McClellan, the general responded “You may find those who will go faster than I, Mr. President; but it is very doubtful if you will find many who will go further.” In this letter, Mary Todd Lincoln, who believed her great antipathy to the general was shared by the public, strongly hinted to Lincoln about removing McClellan from command. Whether she influenced her husband’s decision is unknown, but on November 5, 1862, Lincoln placed the Union forces under the command of General Ambrose Burnside.

(Transcription)

All the distinguished in the land, have tried how polite & attentive, they could be to me, since I came up here ...


In response to Lincoln’s concern about the slow pace of the Union troops under General George McClellan, the general responded “You may find those who will go faster than I, Mr. President; but it is very doubtful if you will find many who will go further.” In this letter, Mary Todd Lincoln, who believed her great antipathy to the general was shared by the public, strongly hinted to Lincoln about removing McClellan from command. Whether she influenced her husband’s decision is unknown, but on November 5, 1862, Lincoln placed the Union forces under the command of General Ambrose Burnside.