The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-09
nm. srAyrox AND eEx. oRANr.


The Elou. Georss C. Gorhnra Corrects an Hn-
portant Mistake or Gen. scheGeid,s.
To THE EDITOR OF hi suN-Sir: Lieut.. Gen.
Scho1old's article in tho Century Magazine for
August on Controversies in the War DEPART
ment, Z" with the subordinate heading: "unpub-
lished Facts Relating to the Impeachment Of
President Johnson" declares that "thc contro-
vcrsy between Gen. Grant and the Secretary OF
War finally led to tho impeachment Of the
President OF tho United States" The late
Edwi NJ. Stanton was the Secretary of War
thus referred to.
In explanation OF this alleged controversy
Gen. Schoield states that in 1864 President
Lincoln conferred upon Gen. Grant supreme
authority over all military affairs, and ex-
presses the opinion that in so doing he won't
beyond the limits fixed by his constitutional OBJ
legation as Commander-in.Chief." He says that
after Mr.. Lincoln's death President johnson
continued In force the Presidential order which
gave Gen. Grant this supreme authority; that
Secretary Stanton. nevertheless. hogan soon
after the end OF hostile operations to resume
the exercise of these functions. which had for
merly been claimed as belonging to the War
Department, and which had been suspended by
President Lincoln;" that Gen. Grant was deep
ly offended by this. and that:
Early in August. 1857. in Richmond. Va, Gen.
Grant, in most emphatic terms, announced his inten'
ton to demand. on his return to Washington. that
the President either remove Secretary Stanton or
accept his (Gen. Grant's) resignation.
He adds that a very few days later tho Presi-
dents order was published suspending Score
tary Stanton and appointing Gen. Grant Sec
rotary of War ad Interim and finally. as II
to make certain his date. and to show more ex-
plicitly that Mr.. stanton was suspended be-
cause of Gen Grapf'a cop,plaipto ha In
a foot note to the words early in August,
1867" that it was three or four days before the
suspension OF Mr.. Stanton
No one will entertain q doubt OF Gen. Scho-
helds intention and desire to make a per-
fectly accurate statement of these important
matters, affecting as they do the estimate to be
placed on the character Of two of the most emf
nent men of their day. now deceased; but the
record shows that his memory is entirely at
fault. and that neither the suspension of Secre-
tary Stanton by President johnson nor the inn
pea chment of the latter was caused in whole or
in part. directly or remotely, by any disagree
ment between Grant and Stanton, but that, on
the contrary. the suspension OF the latter took
place against the positive and energetic remon-
STRANGE OF the former.
This record Is as follows:
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 12, 1867.
To Hon. Ed,rfn NJ. Stanton, Secretary or War.
Sin: By virtue Of the power and authority vested in
me as President by the Constitution and laws of the
as a secretary o. @aS. ard 6e viii e sasSen to exercise tlSn 0i ans
o ane ar .ra rnasii9 fn G Re5t1 f511.ss to The s. same; xh You win q.
a saIv been BE- W authorized no and empowered to act as secre-
and other public property now in your custody and
charge. Very respectfully yours.
tMcpherson's History of Reconstruction, page ael.l
AS we have already seen, Gen. Schofeld states
tn tha f6u redsr rys in h. August, , 1887" and only three
Anp 10 Con Granf had 49,, p,N.k .--LnNto
terms announced his intention" to demand Mr.
Stanton's removal, or the acceptance Of his own
tradicted by Gen. Grant himself, in this letter:
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES,
His Encelencv A.. Johnson. Presidens Of the United
States.
on the subject Of the conversation we had this morn.
ing. feeling as | do the great danger to the welfare OF
the country should you carry out the designs then
First. on the subject of the displacement of the Sec
against his will without the consent Of the senate. It
is but a short time since the United States Senate
his removal II It was desired? 1t certainly was the
to place Cabinet ministers beyond the power Of RI.
ecutire removal. aud It is pretty well understood that
ure,of.onlce bll 4 was Intended specially to protect
e s6e s & iS. OF T %aT ne who~ 81 the s,s country felt great
planned away by an sstute lawyer. but common
s sse sn sss intended int n's%' By Of q. ssy fraR Rssels 1H M.1I f fslios sa 1t :
remonstrance against the removal OF Gen. Sheridan
y ne coiuuhanu oi ut fiIth Military Qfstrtct.1
I would not have taken the liberty OF addressing the
Executive of the United States thus but for the con.
yersation on the subject alluded to in this letter, and
from n sense OF duty. feeling that l know l am right
in this matter. With great respect. your obedient
servant. us. GRANT. General
tMcPherson's History of Reconstruction. page so7.l
Gen. Schoield will doubtless agree that the
author of the above letter, dated Aug. l, could
not, between that day and the 10Th, have so
changed his mind as to threaten his own resig-
nation unless, Stanton was removed. To make
this certain. however. it is only necessary to
read Gen. Grants letter to the President of
Aug. II, in which he refers to his letter Of the
LIST as having. been written when first consult
ed on the subject of the change in the War De-
partmcnt," and rcafirms it.
tMcPherson's History OF Reconstruction. page 3o7.l
The truth of history seemed to REQUIRE this
vindication Of both Gen. Grant and Secretary
stanton from the charges made in Gen. Scho-
fields article. GEORGE c, GoRHAM.
MAGNOLIA, Mass, Aug. z.