The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-05-31
The Assistant Secretary Of War.
z From the Cincinnati Times.l


We have been furnished, by his intimate
personal friend, with 8 few facts, from
which we are able to give the following
brief outline of the sntecedents Of Hon.
Thomas T. Eckert, Assistant Secretary of
War lste Msjor and Qusrtermsster and
Superintendent of the United States Tele-
graph:
MIR. Eckert ia q native of Ohio, and was,
several years ago, 8 postmaster In some
town in the central psrt Of the State. He
was sfserward 8 superintendent # tele-
grsph lines. he subsequently, removed to
Georgia, and was engaged quite extensive
ly IN gold mining, and had accumulated
some considerable means. 49,
At the outbreak of the rebellion his de-
voted patriotism and love for the old flag
of the Union influenced him TO forsake
| everything but his family, and to strike for
the Union lines, e~ncountering in his escape
hArdships, difficulties and SHARES which
none but 8 man of the utmost nerve and
fortitude would have the energy and pa.
tience to surmount and overcome,
Accompanied by his wifs-s woman of
rare excellence and courage, q woman who
at such 8 time is not 8 weight q drag or a
hindrance, but 8 help 8 solscu and q COM
fort-snd their children, one quite young,
they finally reached the Union lines near
Nashville; not, however, without many
hair-bresdth escspes-sometimes his cap
ture and death almost imminent She re-
served the outbreak Of her full heart of
grief until safe, beyond s p~ersdventure, in
the Union lines, and then her Womsnly ma
ture held 9 carnival, and retrospecting the
trials they had endured in their flight the
team fell-she wept, as she had 3 right to
weep, and thanked God for their deliv-
Reaching this city, they met an old and
faithful friend, the late Mr.. Davenport, so
long and fEvOrably known to our citizens
a the director Of the telegraph interests,
who gave them such q welcome as q "friend
indeed" could give.
Nj. Eckert wAs advised to 20 TO Wash
ton. His arrival in that city early in the
war was theeommencementcf his valuable
services to the government. He was soon
appointed QusrtermAster, Msjor and A.
d. q. and assigned 70 duty as Superinten-
dent United Ststes Military Telegraph,
War Department. He rapidly gained the
entire confidence and high esteem of Mr..
Stanton, TO whom he has been q most valu-
able assistant. His usefulness was not con-
fined to duties pertaining to the military
telegraph, though they required q mar of
the irmest principle, constant watchful-
ness quick sppreLensions and sound iudg-
ment.s In aohering totheTules, and in ex-
ecuting the orders of the Secretary of War
with reference to the confidential character
Of al war matterS he may have incurred
the momentary ilLwill Of some of the
news mongsrs; but no Just man can but
commend him for the fidelity with which
he hss discharged his duty to the Govern
ment His relations with our lamented
late President, Mr.. Lincoln, were of the
most friendly character. MI. Lincoln was
q daily visitor st his Office, and his conf.
dencs IN Msjor Rckerts ability, and his
appreciation Of his talents and high char
acter he often expressed, but more visibly
acknowledged by selecting the Msjor to
meet and confer with the rebel commits
sioners of Fortress Monroe, and to carry
out the plans Of the government on that
occasion. Much of the detail was left to
Major EeksP's discretion, and the Presi.
dent was not sparing IN his commendstion
Of the Majors semidiplomatic skill in con-
Quoting that affair.
Mr.. Bckert Wss In no wise ambitious, |
save 70 serve his country 10 the utmost of
his strength and ability, and 70 this ser
vice he has devoted his undivided time,
and talents. BE has doubly earn
cd pEeferment; he Is s man st ali points,
whom the people Of this nation delight TO
honor, when be takes his light from under
The bushel, when they come to know more
1f his virtues and Of his unquestioned 1T
for the Importantly reposed in him
By his recent appointment.
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