The Wilmingtonian., 1885-07-04

1t was not long before that little woman's
was appointed brigadier general.
A BRIeADIER GENERAL CHOSEN FOR HIS
NAME.
At later date l heard a conversation be.
tween Lincoln and Stanton in relation to the
selection of brigadier generals. The many
applications and recommendations were
examined and discussed. Lincoln finally said:
swell, Mr.. Secretary, concur in pretty
much all you say. The only point l make
is that there has got to be something done
that will be unquestionably in the interest
of the Dutch, and to that end want shem-
meltining appointed"
The Secretary replied: "Mr, President,
perhaps this Schemel- el-whats-his-name is
not as highly recommended as some other
German officer"
mo matter about that" said Lincoln
''his name will make up for any difference
there may be, and I'll take the risk of his
coming out all right" Then, with laugh,
he repeated, dwelling upon each syllable
of the name and accenting the last one,
'Schem-mel-fia-aig must be appointed"
There is no purpose here to question
General Schemmeltinnig's merits. The
only object is to show that Lincoln had
reasons, in addition to Schemmlinnig's
recommendations for appointing him briga-
dier general.
After became provost marshal general
of tue United States-March, 1868 the duty
Of enrolling and drafting the national forces
required me to see great deal of the
President. Once when l went into his
Office at the White House found private
soldier making a complaint to him. 1t
was Summer afternoon.
Lincoln looked tired and careworn; but
he was listening as patiently as he could
to the grievances of the obscure member Of
the military force known as "Scott's nine
hundred" The man, however, presuming
upon Lincolns good nature. and determined
to make the most Of his opportunity
Lincoln finally turned upon the man and
said, in peremptory tone that ended the
interview: Nov, my man, go away,
so away! cannot meddle in your case.
| could as easily bail out the Potomac
River with teaspoon as attend to all tie
details of the army"
A story has long been current that Lin
coin sent an applicant for office with note
to the Secretary of War, directing that a
letter of appointment be prepared for the
man to the office he sought, that applicant
returned to the President and announced
that Stanton refused to obey the order, that
the President looked disappointed but
merely expressed his regreat at the result
| and remarked that he had not much iuflu.
ence with the Administration.
The auecdote has generally been interpret
ed as meaning that Lincoln could not con
troll Stanton. The inference is erroneous
| Lincoln, SO far as | could discover, was il
every respect the actual head of the Admin
istration, and whenever he chose to do Sc
he controlled Stanton as well as all the
| Cabinet ministers, will cite one instance
in relation to Stanton.
After compulsory military service was re
sorted to, states and kistrictS tired to fiji
there quotas and save their own citizens
from being drafted into the array by voting
bountiea to buy men wherever they coulC
be found. The agent appointment by
ealllnty ape-et ttha- Middle States
supplied with bounty money learned tina
some Confederate prisoners of war at Chi
eago were about to be released and enlisted
in our army for service against the Indian
in the Northwest.
The thrifty thought occurred to the agen
to pay these prisoners bounty for wha
they were going to do without any pa,
at all, and in return for this payment hay,
them credited as soldiers furnished by thi
county. Being an acquaintance Of Lincoln
the agent obtained fiom him an order t,
have the men credited as desired. But tn,
| Secretary Of War refused to have the crediti
allowed. Indignant and disappointed, th,
agent returned to the President who reitera
ted the order, but without effect.
LINcoLN's POWER OVER STANTON.
Then Lincoln went in person to Stanton
Office, and was called there by the latte
to state the facts in the case. reported t.
the two high officials, as had previousl
done to the Secretary alone, that these me-
already belonged to the United States
being prisoners of war; that they could no
be used against the CouiUderatss; that the
had no relation whatever to the country T.
which it was proposed they should b
credited; that all that was necessary towar
enisting them in ouI army for India
service was the Governments release q
them as prisoners of wa; that to give ther
bounty and and credit them to a count
which owed some ef its own men for seryic
against the CunfeGera'es would vast
money, and deprive tie army operatin
against powerful enemy Of that humber c
men, etc.
Stanton said; Now. Mr. President, thos
are the facts, and you must see that you
order cannot be examined"
= Lucoln sat upon sofa which his lee
crossed, aud did not say word until tn
Secretary's last remark. Then he said i
a somewhat positive tone: "Mr. Sccl etary.
reckon you'll have to execute the order"
Lincoln fixed his eye upon Stanton, an
in firm voice and with an accent thu
clearly. showed his determination, he sale
'Mr. Secretary, it will have to bs done. "
Stanton then realized that lie was owe
matched. lie had made a square issue wit
the President and had been defeated
notw outstanding the fact that lie was
the right. Upon an intimaton from him
Withdrew, aud did not witness the surrend,
4 few minutes after reached my office
received instructions from the Secretary