Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-02-18
"reminiscences of Edwin M. Stan.

| o "outuiy ior repruary an IN
teresting article on the late Secretary
Stanton. We make the following ex.
tract: IA
| Shortly after the disastrous battle Of
| Chickamauga dispatch stating the per-
ilous condition of the army, and the
/ pressing need Of immediate reinforce.
ments, was received at the War Office
from General Garfield. After the hour
OF midnight the President, Mr.. Chase
and Mr.. Seward were summoned by Mr..
Stanton. 1t was most critical and try
ing moment. In answer to questions,
General Halleck revealed the fact that
few troops operating in the West could
be sent in season to the relief Of Rose.
Grams. The facts disclosed perplexed, if
they did not dishearten, all but Mr..
Stanton, who was never downcast, who
never doubted the triumph of the loyal
cause, who seemed to take heart as dan.
gers thickened, and who now surprised
his listeners by proposing to take thirty
thousand men from the Army of the
Potomac and place them in Tennessee
within five days. The President and
General Halleck doubted, hesitated and
opposed. But Mr.. Stanton, sustained by
MIR. Chase and Mr. Seward, carried his
point. kilograms were at once sent to
General Meade and to railroad manap.
ers, and in few days General Hooker,
with more than fifteen thousand men,
was thrown into Tennessee. When he
arrived within supporting distance of
Rosecrans, Bragg was making move
ments which he believed would result in
the utter destruction or defeat Of that
Generals army. Chief Justice Chase
who had recorded in his diary the doings
OF that midnight council, and who has,
since the war, spoken of it with officers
OF the rebel army, expresses the opinion
that Mr.. Stanton's bold counsels and de-
cisive action saved the army of Rose
Grams, and that he then rendered greater
service to the country than was rendered
by any civilian during the war.
lnnumerable instances of similar
kind might be adduced. A single addi-
iional example will be mentioned. When
in the winter of 1858 the iaithless Leg
islature of Indiana was dissolved, no ap-
propriations had been made to carry on
the State government or aid in putting
soldiers in the field and Governor
Morton was obliged, without the author
ity of law, to raise more than a million
and quarter of dollars. In his need
he looked to Washington for assistance.
President Lincoln wished to aid him,
but saw no way to do it, as no money
could be taken from the treasury with
out an appropriation. He was referred
to Mr.. Stanton. The Secretary saw at a
glance the critical condition in which
the patriotic governor, who had shown
such vigor in raising and organizing
troops, had been placed A quarter Of
million dollars were needed, and Mr..
Stanton took upon himself the response
bility, and drew his warrant upon the
treasury for that amount, to be paid
from an unexpended appropriation
made, nearly two years before, for rails
ing troops in States in insurrection. As
he placed this warrant in Governor Nor
tons hands, the latter remarked: "If
the cause fails, you and will be covered
with prosecutions, and probably impris-
oned or driven from the country" Mr..
Stanton replied: "If the cause fails, /
do not wish to live" The money thus
advanced to the Governor of Indiana
was accounted for by that State in its f.
nal settlement with the Government.
After his retirement from Office, Mr..
Stanton struggled with mortal diseases
fastened upon him by the immense re-
sponsibilities and labors Of the war. His
closing hours, however, were frightened
by the high appreciation of the Govern
ment and the fattering manifestations of
popular regard. The republican MEM
bers of the Senate and House, with sin.
gular unanimity, joined in recommends
ing his appointment as Associate Justice
of the Supreme Court. The recommen-
dation was sincere and hearty. The Chief
Magistrate, accompanied by the Vice
President, called upon him rendered him
the Office and cordially urged its accept
ance. His assent having been given, the
President at once sent his nomination to
the Senate, and it was confirmed without
the formality of reference. This unso-
licited action of the members of Con-
gress, and the cordial and courteous con.
duct of the President, were approved by
loyal press and applauded by loyal
people. Congratulations flowed in upon
Mr.. Stanton, and he realized, perhaps for
Al q ~