The emancipation proclamation applies to Arkansas. I think it is valid in law, and will be so held by the courts. I think I shall not retract or repudiate it. Those who shall have tasted actual freedom I believe can never be slaves or quasi slaves again. For the rest, I believe some plan, substantially being gradual emancipation, would be better for both white and black. The Missouri plan, recently adopted, I do not object to on account of the time for ending the institution; but I am sorry the beginning should have been postponed for seven years, leaving all that time to agitate for the repeal of the whole thing. It should begin at once, giving at least the new-born a vested interest in freedom which could not be taken away. If Senator Sebastian could come with something of this sort from Arkansas, I, at least should take great interest in his case; and I believe a single individual will have scarcely done the world so great a service. See him, if you can, and read this to him; but charge him to not make it public for the present Write me again.

Yours, very truly,

A. LINCOLN.

[JULY 31, 1863. -For Hurlbut to Davidson and Steele, in reference to operations in Arkansas, see Series I, VOL. XXII, Part II, pp. 413, 414.]

Abstract from returns of the Department of the Tennessee, Major General Ulysses S. Grant, U. S. Army, commanding, for the month of July, 1863. *

Present for duty. Pieces of artillery.

Command. Offic Men. Aggreg Aggre Heavy. Field Headqu

er. ate gate . arters

presen prese .

t nt

and

absen

t.

General

headquar

ters:

Staff 18 - 18 28 - - Vicksb

urg.

MISS.

Engineer 13 414 427 562 - -

troops

Total 31 414 445 590 - -

NINTH

Army

Corps

(Parke):

Staff 13 31 48 74 - - Millda

and le,

escort MISS.

First 202 3. 229 4,419 5,826 - 6 Do.

DIVISION

(Welsh)

SECOND 212 3,151 4,062 5,837 - 10 Do.

DIVISION

(Potter)

Reserve 4 116 125 146 - 6 Do.

Artiller

y

Total 431 6,527 8,654 11,88 - 22

NINTH 3

Army

Corps

Thirteen

th Army

Corps+

(Ord):

Staff 11 38 67 88 - - Vicksb

and urg.

escort MISS.

Pioneers 6 272 307 322 - - Do.

First 296 4,631 7,732 11,68 - 27 Do.

DIVISION 44

++

(Washbur

n)

Fourth 265 4,376 5,893 7,668 - - Do.

DIVISION

(Crocker

)

Tenth 217 2,788 4,098 6,406 - 12 Do.

DIVISION

(A. J.

Smith)

Twelfth 208 3,605 4,546 6,918 - - Do.

DIVISION

&(Lee)

Cavalry 28 570 724 903 - - Do.

Total 1,031 16,280 23,367 33,98 - 39

Thirteen 9

th Army

Corps.

---------------

*Compiled from the subordinate returns.

+The District of Eastern Arkansas transferred to the SIXTEENTH Army Corps. July 29.

++ The NINTH and Fourteenth DIVISION consolidated under C. C. Washburn July 30.

Formerly Lauman's (Fourth) DIVISION, SIXTEENTH Army Corps. Transferred July 28. Crocker assigned to command July 23.

& Lee commanding since July 26, vice Hovey, absent on leave.

---------------