The Generals are all after me about my pardons---- NICOLAY The Secretary of War is out there now, champing his bit, to head you off on some of them, I think---- LINCOLN Don't let old Mars in yet. He's no business here at this hour. Let him paw a hole in the ground. [_Pauses._] Any news from the front, this morning? NICOLAY [_Handing him a telegram._] From General Grant's lines--only this, sir---- LINCOLN [_Reads._] "Confederate Cavalry raiders capture a Brigadier General and fifty army mules."--Too bad--rush a regiment after the mules--they're worth $200 a piece--Jeff Davis can have my Brigadier General----! NICOLAY [_Laughs._] Yes, sir--and this came in code from Sherman-- [_Hands_ LINCOLN _another telegram._] LINCOLN [_Eagerly._] Word from Sherman! Good! [_Reads._] --"Scouts report Hood's trenches before Atlanta are impregnable--carefully considering a flank movement--but as yet, I cannot find the position or strength of Hood's second line----" W. T. Sherman---- [_Pauses._] Grant's deadlocked with Lee at Petersburg--If-Sherman-could-only-give-us-Atlanta!---- [_Pauses._] I've a notion to telegraph Sherman an order direct----! NICOLAY I wouldn't go over General Grant's head, sir, with a military order--he's sensitive---- LINCOLN It might make trouble--Grant might resent my interference with his plan of campaign---- NICOLAY It would have to be filed in the War Department---- LINCOLN Yes--I know. Anything else----? NICOLAY [_Handing him a large document._] Baker's full report of the secret service on the Copperhead Societies---- He asks for the immediate arrest of their leaders--and I think he's right---- LINCOLN [_Shakes his head._] It won't do--it won't do just now--it's an ugly business--too ugly for haste--I'll look it over carefully---- [_Lays the report on his desk._] I'm ready now to see the people---- NICOLAY The Republican National Committee are in town, sir---- LINCOLN What on earth are they doing here----? NICOLAY That's what everybody's asking---- LINCOLN They should be in their States, leading the Party to victory---- What do they want? NICOLAY To see you---- LINCOLN Umph----! NICOLAY Henry Raymond, their Chairman, is with them, and has just sent word demanding a hearing before your public reception this morning. LINCOLN