Hon. E.M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
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,