Wherever the enemy goes, let our troops go also." This, I think, is exactly right, as to how our forces should move.

But please look over the despatches you may have received from here, even since you made that order, and discover, if you can, that there is any idea in the head of any one here, of "putting our army south of the enemy," or of "following him to the death" in any direction.

I repeat to you it will neither be done nor attempted unless you watch it every day, and hour, and force it.
A.LINCOLN.
I replied to this that "I would start in two hours for Washington," and soon got off, going directly to the Monocacy without stopping at Washington on my way.

I found General Hunter's army encamped there, scattered over the fields along the banks of the Monocacy, with many hundreds of cars and locomotives, belonging to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which he had taken the precaution to bring back and collect at that point.

I asked the general where the enemy was.