Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-02-07
SEC. STANTON IN HIS OFFICE.

SEC. STANTON IN HIS OFFICE.
The Philadelphia Inquirer gives an ac-
count Of session in Sec. Stanton's Office, a
throDg of applicants being present. The
following extracts will show the way of 1t ;
To-day (Jan. 27) was the first day that il was
generally understood by the people that any one
could get TO see the new Secretary Of War, with
out an introduction or having to wait in the loby
a week or two, as suited the convenience Of some
petulant doorkeeper, or, as military man would
say, the outer pickets. The clock strikes 10, the
awaiting crowd rush in as the doors swing open,
and being among them, VIC find ourselves in the
presence Of the Secretary. Now one stands in
front Of him, and with a smiling cOuntensnce he
reaches out his hand and takes a hearty grip with
gray haired man. "WelI, sir, what is your
wish p
"My name is -; my son fought at Spring
held and was wounded in the arm; he was on
Fremont's staff, but is now without a commission;
| want one for him, that he may sgain try his
other arm here on the Potomac, or in Missouri"
'You shall have it sir, replied Mr.. Stanton, and
turning 10 his Sec. he told him TO note the case.
"Return home" b. added, "the papers will be
sent you and as the attempted to thank
him be stepped side to two ladies' who had just
come in. MADAM, what can l do for you -
want a cleTkship 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 a sample Of her boys writing, and he
would care for him
The other was connected with Minnesota regi-
ment over the uvcr and had some complaint
about the treatment she had received in camp
from some Of the officers. MADAM, you must 10
TO the headquarters Of ten. Mcclellan" 81 have
been there, sir, and they would not read my pa
pers or listen to my case" Then give them to
me, and III Why"
small bright eyed boy, alone, was trying to
work his way through the crowd, and the Seere-
tary turned TO him and asked what lie want ed.
81 want my father got cut sir; he was taken at
Bull Run, and has not come home with the rest
lie 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 Ill see that he is
released
An individual had some new invention Of fire.
arms: "Go to the Ordnance Department and get
them to investigate it, and if they will recon-
mend 1t, l will be glad to sec it adopted
A colonel with green uniform on has some
papers be wants to read. "Are you an army Off
Ger - "Yes, sir" Then you cannot be heard
until tomorrow; come and see me then"
A large and well dressed man wanted word in
private. "What about" "Some little matter
about a contract he had for horses" Cannot in
tertere, sir; 60 to Gen. Meigs. II there is any
thing wrong he will recti,y it Another
ceeds in getting him of TO the side Of the room,
ami the cOnversation is inaudiblc until the Secre-
tsry replied "No, sir; on account will in
teriere in any contract while am here, for any
thing from thimble up. There men aP-
pointed to attend to that department, and l shall
held them to a strict accountability for every ac-
ton"
Two soldiers wanted to be paid for the time
they were in confinement at Richmond, having
just been released, and presented furlough they
had received a week ago, and also order for
their pay and ratious. "Why do you not take
this to Msj. Beckwith and have him attend to
To- I'VE did, sir; and he says be has no orier
that will cover our case, and for want Of form 9
are afraid We will be kept here until our time
is up, and We want to 60 home and see the folks
before going at it again" Turning TO his Seere-
tary, be ordered him tO write 70 Maj. Beckwith.
and order him to report forthwith in writing Why
these men were not paid up, instead Of being kept
waiting. Ii was done; he signed il himself and
said, "lere, take that to him, and bring an an
IHer.'
A Western man, who said he hailed from the
Reserve in Ohio, had about dozen quires Of pa
per written over two or three times, which he
said was Essay on Cheese" The Secretary
laughed you must 20 to the Commissary Gen-
eral; be has charge Of the feeding of the army
II have been first to one and another all sum
mer and somehow or other | do not get any
| further ahead, and that is why want you to in
vestigate it - and he commenced to unroll his
| papers. Indeed sir, l do not know how cheese
would agree with the soldiers"
That's just why want you to read these pa
| pefs and examine these certificates" " But
have not time, Sir" All hands commenced laugh
| ing, but the Ohio man stuck it out bravely. "
assure you that there is not soldier in the army
| who does not like crackers and cheese. and can
make it for three cents pound "No tell you
what you had better do, 90 to Senator Wilson and
get him to put it in his bill, it will then pass The
Senate and become army regulation to give
\ out cheese rations." "Well, could you NOT in
dorse it, and then il would be sure TO be passed -
/ NO, cannot indorse it, because know nothing
about it," '0h, we'll / sill leave these papers, T"
and he made for the table. Il will never read
them until the war is over With look Of des-
pair, Ohio made for the door, inquiring Of every
one be met if they knew where Senator Wilson
/ lived!
In came Major Deckwith, with the note sent BY
the returned prisoners.
"why are those men kept waiting, - "Because
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 con-
/ fned in rebel prisons. Major, have last learned
there are over $50 now waiting for their pay
every man must be paid to-day, and speed them
| on to their homes"
| A tall man wants commission IN the regular
army. "Have you been in any battle yet, sir -
| {" l was in the Mexican war " Thst won't do;
! that is TOO tar back" 81 was at Great Bethel.
| That's better. will examine your record my
self and inform you if you arc appointed"
A stout, healthy young man wanted 4 commits
sion or clerkship " Have you been in any bat
tie ?" "No, SIR" "Then 1t will be no use to
apply. for l shall make all my appointments from
the list Of heroes; those who fight the country
battles must be cared for first"
man in citizens clothes wanted an appoint
ment in the army. "Well, said the Secretary
of War, "what your claims ," Il was ar
aid -de-camp ef Col. Geary at the fight Of Bolivar
and am recommended for the appointment By
the President" GAN right" said Mr.. Stanton
al will attend to your case" individual insisteC
upon having promise, inasmuch as he chad 90
the Endorsement Of the President" " The Presi
dent, sir, is very excellent man, and would b
glad if he had an appointment for every man VIII,
applied, which, unfortunately for his good nature
is not the case" We'll, sir, l am from ST
Louis, am 4 Union man, and must 90 home,
suppose" "Well, sir, if 1 can do anything 70
you, will write to you there"
And so it went on for Eve hours. Over tw
hundred were listened to in this short time.