The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-02-20
The New Secretary Of War,

The New Secretary of War,
The Washington correspondent of the Phila-
delphia Inquirer relates some incidents of amin
terview with Secretary Stanton
Mr.. Stanton occupies the room formerly used
by the previous administration, at the head of
the Stairs in the sesond story. 49,.
The adjoining room ia used by Mr. Watson.
Assistant Secretary. In this room Mr.. Stanton
receives the Gro y d; in the centre is table al
which his amanuensis, 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 find ourselves in the presence of the Sec
etary. Now one stands i'll front of him, and
with smiling countenance he reaches out his
hand and takes hearty grip with gray haired
man.
We'll sir, what is your wish?'
My name is - my son fought at Spring
field, and was wounded in the arm, he was on
Fremont's staff, but is now without a commits
sion; | want one Tor him that he may again try
his other arm here on the Potomac or i'll Mis-
siouri.'
you shall have it, sir ! replied, Mr.. Stanton,
and turning to his secretary he ordered him to
note the case; return home, he added, the pa
pers will be sent you, and as the man attempted
to thank him, be stepped to one side to two la
dies who had just come in.
Madame, what can do for you y
Want clerkship for my son; his father was
killed at the battle of Belmont
Turning again he noted the case, took the
address, told the lady to send him sample Of
the boys writing and he would care for him
A small bright eyed boy, all alone, was trying
to work his way thro' the7crowd, and the Sec
rotary turned to him and asked what he wanted
4 want my father got out, sir; he was taken
at Bull Run, and has not come home with the
rest
He gave his name and regiment, it was noted
and the Secretary, lifting him up, kissed him
upon the forehead, and said:
Your father should be proud of such a noble
boy, and I'll see that he is released.
A large aud VIII dressed man wanted a word
in private,
Some little matter about contract he had
for horses
Cannot interfere, sir; go to Gen. Meigs; if
there is anything wrong, he will rectify it,
Another succeeds in getting him off TO the side
of the room, and the conversation is inaudible
until the Secretary replied:
No, sir; on no account will l interfere in any
&C, ntract, while / am here, for anything from
III mble up. There are men appointed TO attend
to that department, and / shall hold them to
strict accountability
Two soldiers wanted to be paid for the time
they we're in confinement at Richmond, having |
just been released, and presented furlough
thev had received week ago and also an order |
for their pay fer time and ratiOns.
why do you not take this to Major. Beck
with and have him to attend 10 it
we did sir, and he says he has order that |
will cover case, and for want of forms we
are afraid we will be kept here until our time is
up, and we want to go home aud see the folks
before going at 1t again
Turning TO his Secretary he ordered him to
write to Major Beckwith, and order him to re-
port forthwith in writing why these men were
not paid up. instead of being kept waiting. 1t
was done he signed it himself and sand
Here take that to him, and bring an an
swer
Western man who said he hailed from the
Reserve in Ohio, had about a dozen quires OF
paper written over two or three times, which he
said was an essay on cheese
The Secretary laughed You must go to the
commissary general; he has the charge of the
feeding of the army.
Il have been at first one and another all sum
mer, and somehow or other l do not get any
further ahead. and that is why | want you to
in vestigate it > and he commenced TO unrol his
papers
Indeed sir l do not know how cheese would
agree with the soldiers.
That's why | wan: you to read these papers
and examine these certificates
But haue not time, sir
All hand commenced laughing, but the Ohio
man stuck it out boldly.
| assure you that there is not soldier in the
army who does not like crackers and cheese,
and | can make it or three cents pound.
Now, | tell you what you had better do go
to Senator Wilson aud get him TO put it in his
bill 1t will then pass the Senate aud become an
army regulation TO give out cheese rations.
We'll could you not endorse 1t, and then it
W ould be sure TO passY
No, / cannot endorse it, because | know
Oh, we'll, will leave these papers, and he
made Tor the table.
Il will never read them, if you do, until the
war is over.
With a look of despair, Ohio made for the
door, inquiring of every one he met if they
knew where Senator Wilson lived?
Judge Wilkins, of Pittsburg, here came in,
received a hearty shake of the hand and mum
Der of congratulations passed between them
The door keeper OF the little room announced
tho President, and off the Secretary went to see
him. He soon returned, however. In come
Macor Beckwith, with the note sent by the re-
turned prisoners.
why are those men kept waiting?
Because i have no order for their special
case
Mr.. Wilson issue an order that will cover all
the prisoners that may be released in future,
and allow them full pay for every day they are
confined in rebel prisons. Major, have just
learned there are over $50 now waiting for their
pay; every man must be paid to-day, and speed
the m on to their homes.
tall man wants commission in the regular
army.
Have you been in any battle yet. sir?
Il was in the Mexican war
That won't do; that 10 too far back
Il was at Great Bethel Il
That is better. | will examine your record
myself and inform you if you are appointed
A stout healthy young man wanted commiS- .
sion or clerkship. {
Have Won been in any battle yet?' ,,
No, sir n |
rThen it will be of no use to apply, Tor snali /
make all my appointments from the nSt OF ne {
roes those who fight the country battles must I
be cared for first
Another wanted an appointment as quarter
master.
.Tbere are nv recommendations, sir, and a
would be glad it you can read them i