SIR: Inclosed I forward to the President my resignation, to take effect on the 5th of December.
I respectfully request, however, that I may be relieved from my command at an earlier day, say by the 20th instant, or as soon thereafter as some officer can be ordered to succeed me. While I desire to derange the plans or hurry the action of the Department as little as possible, it will be a great convenience to me to secure some little time before the session of Congress for a necessary journey and for some preparations for myself and family in view of my approaching change of residence and occupation. I could also spend two or three days very profitably, I think, to the service of my successor after his arrival here.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ROBT. C. SCHENCK,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS MIDDLE DEPARTMENT, EIGHTH ARMY CORPS,
Baltimore, Md., November 13, 1863.
The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
SIR: Having concluded to accept the place of Member of Congress in the House of Representatives, to which I was elected in October, 1862, I hereby tender the resignation of my commission as a major-general of United States Volunteers, to take effect on the 5th day of December next.
I shall leave the military service with much reluctance and a sacrifice of personal feelings and desires, and only consent to do so in the hope that in another capacity I may be able to do some effective service in the cause of my country and Government in this time of peculiar trial.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ROBT. C. SCHENCK,
Major-General.
The resignation of General Schenck is accepted, and he is authorized to turn over his command to Brigadier-General Lockwood at any time.
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, November 21, 1863.
Major-General ROBERT C. SCHENCK,
United States Volunteers, Commanding Middle Department, Baltimore, Md.
SIR: Your resignation has been accepted by the President of the United States, to take effect the 5th day of December, 1863.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E.D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
WASHINGTON, January 1, 1864.
The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
Washington City, D.C.:
I hereby tender my resignation as a major-general of the United States Volunteers.
A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents. Volume 6, Part 1: Abraham Lincoln · The Wunder Library — complete classics, free to read, with narration.