The National tribune., 1903-06-18
THE GREAT
WAR SECRETARY.
Some Sidelights on Edward M.
StantOn's Personality.
BY 8. H. BEcKw1TH, UTICA, N. Y.

atty prompted President Lincoln to offer
him the War Department portfolio and
seat in his Cabinet, soon proved HIM
self one Of the most conspicuous and
indispensable members of that body. The
loyal press and the people at large were
quick to discover his infiexibiity of char
acter; so infexible, indeed, and so loyal
to his oath of office, that, while hosts of
distinguished statesmen gathered at his
side with offers of friendly and official
support, which quite naturally brought
out the "squawk" of defeat when his en-
emies raised the war-cry, instead of the
white flag, raised in print and in speech,
attempting to inci;e revolt by shouting
Down with Stanton; tyrant and would
| be Dictator"
Semi-youth rs I was in those long-gonc
days, it seemed strange to Inc how one
brave man could fight so many.
| Having been accustomed to admire the
great Secretary's curt and strictly business
like way of expressing in orders what he
meant. l became more deeply impressed
with the great responsibilities of his posi-
ton as Cabinet officer, no one of whom
l had ever seen.
While ruminating at Vicksburg. Miss,
Oct. 10. 1868. half imagined that a Cab
met officer like Secretary Stanton must
naturally be about 1S feet high, a great
human being who lived in Washington,
whom 1 might never hope to greet in his
own chosen home or elsewhere. The sud
den shock of the order which came in Ap
ril signed by Secretary +. NJ. Stanton,
was momentous occasion for me.
At noon Oct. IS, 1868, Gen. Grants
heavy special train, containing entire staff,
headquarters and camp and garrison outfit
entered Indianapolis, Ind. A smoky and
dust-begrimed train dashed in from the East
They seemed to have pulled up and halted
as if by natural impulse. My expectation
of great retinue of officers was dismissed.
Secretary Stanton's Washington special had
scarcely been halted when a plainly y-attired
civilian of d.stingue appearance a.ighted. He
was accompanied by only one staff officer,
Col Anson Stager, Chief of Military Tele-
graphs, who had the management Of spa-
cial trains, and their entire incumbrance
consisted Of a little basket Of grapes. Sec
retary Stanton did not seem to be set up
double headed for a reception; he only ap-
peared anxious to board Gen. Grants spe-
cial from the West, then on the next
track, which he did quite unceremOniOus-
ly and quite as promptly and unceremO-
niously planted himself in Gen. Grants
seat, when they, quite unmindful Of all
about, continued in close conference IN
til the train reached Louisville, KY,
about p. M, where they promptly sought
rooms at the Gait House, when, unmind-
full of supper, the close and momentOus
conference was continued until near mid
night.
AS Secretary Stanton alighted from his
Washington special at Indianapolis. Ind.
and proceeded with light and brisk step
to Gen. Grants train, sufficient time was
gained to observe his unassuming manner.
Then here was the great statesman, who,
instead Of towering up 1S feet high, as
| hn1 faJ hin, af into
lect, he stood only about five feet nine un-
der an ordinary slouch hat. He had broad
shoulders, without anything studied in ef-
feet about feet or hands, although the soft,
yelvety touch of the latter was unmistak-
able. and for this strangely magnetic
touch and pressure an honest soldier had
! only to show clean books, then search q
|, moment for the great Secretary's heart
To the stranger his pale, care-wOrn cheek,
half hidden by his long, iron-gray beard,
was indeed marble, but his piercing black
eyes, peering through those ever-present
spectacles, seemed toremind one of the i'm
portance Of the precious flying moments.
, Realizing the Importance Of the Secre-
tary's mission which had prompted him to
leave his desk in Washington to meet
! Gen. Grant for personal conference, il
! seemed quite proper for me during this
+ long extended personal conference to drop
anchor in front of the Gait House desk.
The night clerk was exceedingly affable,
, but asked no questions. Nine, ten, e.even
and almost twelve came, with the ending
of my fourth cigar, when, instead of
meeting Gen. Grant. as l had anticipated
Secretary Stanton S prompt and energetic
step approached. and without an instant's
hesitation he greatly astonished me By ad
, dressing me by name quite as pleasantly
in tone and manner as one might have eX
pected in receiving a summons to serve
while ha So TT, avn
,, teenth street. opposite the Treasury De
partment, in the early sixties.
:, Secretary Stanton did not seem to bt
! scrutinizing me as he handed me two pa
pers in turn, but l cannot honestly say 81
much of my own composure during sucl
an extraordinary reception, when, instead
of far-of testimonies and observations,
received with special verbal instructions
= from the Secretary's own hand, the ordel
|. which removed Gen. Rosecrans from com
mand of the Army of the Cumberland. I'm
mediately following, with equally promp
, orders came the appointment of Gen. Geo
: : III. Thomas. The Secretary readily com
, piled with my request, and read both or
l ders aloud to me. They were carried t.
the Western Union Telegraph Office, ant
e promptly transmitted about midnight, Oct
f 1S, 1863.
Secretary Stanton was so intensely graf
fled to learn of Grants complete success.
: at chattanooga ana AnOXNlle, Ienn., ina
, there was an enthusiastic admonition ant
j endearing confidence established between
these two great and able men-a friend
, ship and confidence which seemed to en-
I dure to the last.
Perhaps no Cabinet officer ever wieldet
an equally responsible and trustworth!
pen.
1t was not until you were admitted t.
his private parlor where official robe
We're cast aside, and all business subject:
i. dismissed. that you might realize and ap
preciate the plain, cordial welcome extend
ed by Mr.. and Mrs. Stanton. Even
would-be ceremonious New Years call wa
c not devoid of interest to the distinguished
t host or the caller, and the fruit it some
n times bore was worthy Of consideration.
Not many months later l was seriousl.
= disturbed by telegram which imperative
S 1y demanded immediate action. l knew
that the Secretary Of War was the oEl,
G official in Washington who had the powe
: to act quickly enough to meet the require
o ments of the case. 1 thereupon hurrie,
Il away to my desk and "briefed' the mat
G ter on paper. The Secretary's private of
/ flee was on the second floor, northeast cor
/. ner of the Old War Department building
e where none except official callers. as l wa
:. well aware, had access during the routine
$ business hours. l also knew that th
!. large SQUARE room on the south side o