The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-05-19
How Gen. Grant Outflauked Seere.
10 O. tary Stanton. rr.l--.sl I. 3. ..a.

From the New York Herald, of the 11th. '~
- When Gen. Grant was about to leave
Washington to enter upon that sublime
campaign which began with The battle of
the Wilderness and ended. with the down
fall Of the rebellion, he called upon Seore-,
ta:y Stanton to say aygood-bye. The Secre-
tary was anxiously awaiting him. During
the two and half years that President
Lincoln and Secretary Stanton had man
aged the Eastern armies, it was the first
point in their plans to keep Washington
heavily garrisoned with troops. large
bodies of men were stationed in the fortif-.
cations around the city, and other large
bodies were kept within supporting dis
tance. Now that Grant had come into
power, Stanton wanted to see that the de-
fence of Washington was not overlooked.
Accordingly, after few preliminaries, the
Secretary remarked: -
"Well, General, l suppose you have left
us enough men to strongly garrison the
forts?" ~,, ,,t-,. . r,. rr-.s..
+ "No," said Grant, coolly /; 81 can't do
tbat.'a
I "Why not?" cried Stanton, jumping
nervcusly about. ,"Why not ? Why not p"
Because ! haze already sent the men
to the 'front.'" replied Grant,, calmly. .,at.f
|, "That won't do," cried Stanton, more
nervous than BEFORE $ It's contrary to my
plans. can't allow it. I'll order the
men back ~ -rf - "'.t.s s.g s" t..|
81 shall need tie men there" an
swersd Grant and you can't order them
back - -
. "Wby not ?" inquired Stanton again.
"Why not? Why not ?" .f i.'. JED
/ 81 believe that rank the Secretary in
I this matter,' ,''was the quiet reply. vo.a Z
t'Very WE'LL said Stanton, alittle warm
ly, g We'll see the President about that.
I'll have to take you to the President" ~ 81
"Thats right, politely observed Grant,
the President ranks us both.n "a. -, If
Arrived at the White House, the Gener-
al and. the Secretary asked to see the
President upon inn .ortant business, and in
few moments the good-natured face of
Mr.. Lincoln appeared.
"Well, gentlemen said the President,
with a genial smile, g what do you want
with me" bia .'.2 '52 -.t Tf'.r' .tfJ
"General. said Stanton, stifly, estate
your case. - glfrr Frttl It- .Ht's.
81 have 30 case to state,:' replied Gen.
Grant, s''I'm satisfied as it is, thus out
thanking the Secretary, snd displaying the
same strategy in diplomacy as in war.
Swell, well, !" said the President, laugh
ing" state your case, Secretary" LII >.
Secretary Stanton obeyed; Gen. Grant
said nothing; the President listened very
attentivelys When Stanton had concluded,
the President crossed his legs, rested his
elbow on bis knee, twinkled his eyes
quantity, and said: .,Ial he = l.t.5- .ee-r
y "Now, Secretary, you know we have
been trying to manage this army for two
years and half, and you know we haven't
done much with it. We sent over the
mountains and brought Mister Grant-as
Mrs. Grant calls him-to manage it for us,
and now guess we had better let Mister
Grant have his own way"
From this decision there was no appeal.
Nobody ranked the President. So Gen.
Grant went off with the army, and Sec.
Stanton went back to his Office.