Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1862-02-20
Five Hours with the New Secretary Of
War.

|
War.
To-day, says the Washington correspondent
of the Philadel pha Inquirer, OF the 9th ult.,
was the first day that it was generally under
stood by the people that any one could get to
see the new Secretary Of War, without al in
PRODUCTION or having to wait in the lobby a
week or two, as suited the convenience of some
petulant doorkeeper, or, as military unau
would say. the outer pickets. Mr.. Stanton
occupies the room formerly used by the pre-.
Vious administrations, at the head OF the stairs
in the second story.
The adjoining room 10 used by Mr.. Watson,
Assistant Secretary. In this room Mr.. Stan
ton receives the crowd n the centre is ta'
bic at which his smanuensis, Mr.. Moore, sits,
and in the corner is Mr.. Watson, at his desk.
The clock strikes ten, the awaiting crowd rush
in as the doors swing open, and being among
them, we soon 6nd ourselves in the presence Of
the Secretary. Now one stands in front OF
him, and with smiling countenance he reach
es out his hand and takes hearty grip with q
grey haired man Well, sir, what is 20 T
wish z"
My name Is my son fought at
Springfield. and was wounded in the arm be
was on Fremont's s staff, but is now without a
commission want one for him that be may
again try his other arm here on the Potomac,
or in Missouri" "You shall have it, sir !" re-
piled Mr. Stanton, and turning to his Secreta-
ry be ordered him to note the case, return
home" he added, the papers will be sent
you,' and as the man attempted to thank him,
be stepped to one side to two ladies who had
just come in. Madam, what can / do for
you p Want q elerkShip for my son /; his
father was killed at the battle of Belmont
Turning again be noted the case, took the ad-
dress, told the lady to send him sample of her
bows writing aud be would care for him.
The other was connected with Minnesota
Regiment over the river, and had some COM
plant about the treatment she had received in
camp from some of the officers Madam, you
must go the headquarters of Gen Mcclellan" !"
L" l have been there, sir, and they would not
read my papers or listen to my case" Then
give them to me and III see why"
A small, bright-eyed boy, all alone, was try
ing to work his way through the crowd, and
the Secretary turned 20 him and asked what
be wanted 81 want my father got out, sir +;
he was taken at Bull Run, aud has not come
home with the rest" He gave his name and
regiment, il was noted, aud the Secretary,
lifting him up kissed him upon the forehead
and said -" Your father should be proud of
sach noble boy, and I'll see that be is re-
Ieased7
A man, with half military dress, says he
has been wronged By the examining Board,
and has been deprived of the command OF bis
regiment "a Philadelphia Cavalry Regiment J
Sorry, sir, if it is not all right | cannot 60
back to investigate the acts OF my predecessor" 7"
The Colonel insisted that his case vas plain
one, if be could be heard.
We'll" said the Secretary, "if you will get
the officers to reconsider it, viii then listen
to it."
An individual has some new invention for
firearms. go to the ordnance department
and get them to investigate it, and if they viii
recommend it, will be glad to see it adopted"
A ColozGI with q green uniform on has some
passes he wants to read Are yoa an army
officer 2" "Yes, sir" "Then you cannot be
heard uutil tomorrow; come and see me then,'
A large aBd we'll dressed man wanted word
in private. What about ~ Some little
matter about a contract he had for horses =
" Cannot interfere, sir go to Gen. Meigs If
there is anything wrong be will rectify it,
Another succeeds in getting him on to the
side Of the room, and the conversation Is iu-
audible until the Secretary replied =" No,
sir on no account win interfere in any con-
tract, while am here, for anything from a
thimble up There are men appointed to at
tend to that department, aud shall hold them
to 8 strict accountability for every action"
Two soldiers wanted TO be paid for the time
they we're in confinement at Richmond, having
jnst been released, and presented q furlough
they had received a week ago, and siso 81
order for their pay for time aud rstions.-
Why do you not take this to Major BeckEltn
aud have him to attend TO it y We Old,
sir, and be SAYS be has DO order that viii cover
our case and for want Of forms We are afraid
we will be kept here until our time Is up, and
We want to 90 home and see The folks before
going il again" Turning to bis Secretary he
ordered him 10 write to Major BeckEIth, and
order him to report forthwith in writing why
these men we're not paid up, instead Of being
kept waiting 1t was done be signed it him
self and said: Here, take thst TO him, and
bring su answer
A Wts.ern uan who said be hailed from the
Reserve in Ohio, had aboat dozen quires Of
paper, written over two or three times, which
be said was 81 " essay on cheese The Sec
retary laughed =" 1oa must 60 to TIE Con-
missary- General be has charge OF the feed
ing Of lthe army have been st first to
one and another all summer, snd somehow or
other do not get sny farther ahead, snd
that is Why want you TO Investigate it;1 and
b. COMMENCED to uDron bis papers. Indeed,
sir, do not know hoE cheese Eould agree
With the soldiers" " Thst's Just why / want
you TO read these papers and examine these
certificates" All hands commenced laughing
bat the Ohio man stuck il out hrsvely.
assure you that there Is not soldier 10 the
arn,y Who does not like crackers and cheese