On this date 150 years ago, President Lincoln reached a decision concerning the termination of General John Fremont's command in the Western Department. Via General S. R. Curtis, he sent an order that relieved Fremont of his position and handed control of the western troops to General David Hunter. Lincoln advised Curtis to withhold delivery of the order if Fremont should "be in the immediate presence of the enemy, in expectation of a battle." Lincoln attended the funeral of Colonel Baker who was killed at Ball's Bluff, Virginia.