Special Message

To the Senate of the United States:

For the reasons stated by the Secretary of War, I present the nomination of the persons named in the accompanying communication for confirmation of the rank which they held at the time they fell in the service of their country.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

WAR DEPARTMENT,

Washington, March 5, 1863.

The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

SIR: The following-named persons having fallen in battle after having received appointments to the grades for which they are herein nominated, I have the honor to propose that their names be submitted to the Senate for confirmation of their rank, as a token of this Government's approbation of their distinguished merit. This has been the practice of the Department in similar cases, brevet nominations and confirmations having been made after the decease, of gallant officers.

To be major-generals.

Brigadier-General Philip Kearney, of the United States Volunteers, July 14, 1862. (Killed in the battle of Chantilly.)

Brigadier-General Israel B. Richardson, of the United States Volunteers, July 4, 1862. (Died of wounds received at the battle of Antietam.)

Brigadier-General Jesse L. Reno, of the United States Volunteers, July 18, 1862. (Killed in the battle of South Mountain.)

To be brigadier-general.

Captain William R. Terrill, of the Fifth United States Artillery, September 9, 1862 (Killed in the battle of Perryville.)

I am, sir, with great respect your obedient servant,

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War .