Pomeroy weekly telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio) 1860-1866, 1865-05-18
Secretary Stanton and His Way.

The New York Herald gives the following
anecdotc of ofSecretary Stanton, which accounts
in part for the success of Lieutenant General
Grant in succeeding better with the Army of
the Potomac than his predecessors:
when Gen Grant was about to leave Wash
ington to enter upon that sublime campaign
which began with the battle of the Wilderness,
and ended with The downfall of the rebellion,
he called upon Secretary StaEton to say good
by. The Secretary was anxiously awaiting
him. During the two-and a-half years that
President Lincoln and Secretary Stanton had
managed the Eastern armies, it was the first
point in their plans to keep Washington heav-
lily garrisoned with troops. Large bodies Of
men were stationed in the Notifications around
the city, and other large bodies were kept in
supporting distance. Now that General Grant
had come into power, Stanton wanted to see
that the defense of Washington was not over
looked. Accordingly, after a few prelimina-
ries, the Secretary remarked:
"Well, General, suppose you have left us
enough men to strongly garrison the forts?'
'No,'' said Grant, 81 cant do that"
"Why notg cried Stanton, jumping nerv-
ously about. "Why not? Why not?'
because have already sent the men to
the front, replied Grant, calmly.
"That won't do, cried Stanton more nerv-
Gus than before "lt's contrary to my plans.
cant allow it. I'll order the men back"
81 shall need the men there" answered
Grant "and you can't order them back"
"Why not?' enquired Stanton again. "Why
not? Why not?"
81 believe that rank the Secretary in this
matter" was the quiet reply
every well, said Stanton IL little warmly.
''we Il see the President about that I'll have
to take you to the President "
That's right" " politely observed Grant,
"the President ranks us both.
+ Arrived at the White House, the General
+ and the Secretary asked to see the President
upon important business, and in few mo-
mcnts the good-naturcd face of Mr. Lincoln
, appeared
"Wcll, gentlemen" said the President,
$ with a genial smle "wlat do you want with
meY
General" e." said Stanton, stiffly, estate your
case"
~ have no case to state" replied General
i. Grant; "lm satisfied as it is;' thus outHank-
= ing the Secretary, and displaying the same
strategy in diplomacy as in war.
"Well, well, said the President laughing,
state your case, Secretary"
Secretary Stanton obeycd; General Grant
said nothing; the President listened very at
tentively. When Stanton had concluded, the
. President crossed his legs, rested his elbow
l. on his knee, twinked his eyes, quantity, an,
If said:
,e Now, Secretary, you know we have bee,
T. trying to manage this army for two years an,
10 Il half, and you know we haven't done mucl
a with it We sent over the mountains ant
.r brought Mister Grant-as Mrs Grant call
d, hm-to manage it for us, and now CUES
" we had better let Mister Grant have his owl
d way" t .a.
ID The good Judgment of Mr. Lincoln VIII
N when he found real military man in whor
H. he had confidence, gave him the suprem
" command of the armies of the United States
ID refusing to interfere with hlm in the smale.
in. particular, has been vindicated. Halleck an
" Stanton being choked off, and the Presider
IS, confning himself to his civil duties, the SO
ed diers performed the work of destroying tn
id military power of the rebellion.