I'm rewatching Gods and Generals and have just finished the Battle of Fredericksburg. At the end of the battle whats left of the 20th Maine is in formation, across the river, being read a message from the President, a copy of which is in the O.R and is as follows...

"Message from President Lincoln to the Army of the Potomac.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, December 22, 1862.

To the Army of the Potomac: I have just read your commanding generals report of the battle of Fredericksburg. Although you were not successful, the attempt was not an error, nor the failure other than accident. The courage with which you, in an open field, maintained the contest against an in-trenched foe, and the consummate skill and success with which you crossed and recrossed the river, in the face of the enemy, show that you possess all the qualities of a great army, which will yet give victory to the cause of the country and of popular government. Condoling with the mourners for the dead, and sympathizing with the severely wounded, I congratulate you that the number of both is comparatively so small.

I tender to you, officers and soldiers, the thanks of the nation.

A. LINCOLN."

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I have never heard of this message and must have missed it the first time I watched the movie. Was Lincoln mis-informed or did he have lower standards, what did he consider average losses? What was he comparing the losses to? He must have gotten Lee's report mixed with Burnsides.

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David Upton