The New York Herald warned, If violence is used in ejecting Mr. Stanton, 100,000 men are ready to come to Washington to put him back in.. Stanton was supposedly rude to the future President, at this their first meeting, but there is no trace of that in these letters, or in other contemporary sources, only in memoirs written years later, by people who were not there. Radical Reconstruction, 1867-1872 - U.S. History - UH Pressbooks Stantons health was broken; he had suffered all his life from asthma and he now had progressive, congestive heart failure. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Stanton was instrumental in creating the Freedman's Bureau late in the Civil War to protect freed slaves and provide them with food, clothing, and shelter. He reorganized the War Department and reformed the guidelines by which the department conducted business, establishing a system of open, competitive bidding for contracts. President Grant named Stanton to the Supreme Court in1869, but he died a few days after confirmation. So to understand the nations first impeachment of a president, one has to understand Stanton, for Stanton was at the center, he was the cause, of the Johnson impeachment. Who is the new host of Dancing with the Stars? And he sent out a series of messages, press releases really, to inform the nation about the attacks, the condition of Lincoln and Seward, the early results of the investigation. Congress largely supported Stanton and passed the Tenure of Office Act in early 1867 in an attempt to prevent Johnson from removing him as secretary of war. Mr. Edwin M. Stanton was born in 1814 in Steubenville, Ohio, the oldest of four children. Stanton engendered intense hostility because of his abrasive personality, his autocratic leadership style, and his position as director of internal security, which inevitably made him a lightning rod for dissent. Stanton's management helped organize the massive military resources of the North and guide the Union to victory. of Edwin M. Stanton in the wake of the Lincoln assassination, based on his personality characteristics and behavioral history. In another letter he wrote to Black that when California becomes settled with a new race of people and all the thieves, forgers, perjurers, and murderers that have invested it beyond any spot on earth shall be driven off, the coast will breed a race of men that have had no equal for physical & intellectual capacity. One of the murderers whom Stanton had in mind was my ancestor, Clancey John Dempster, leader of the 1856 vigilance committee which had tried and hanged several men for alleged murder. Lincoln's frustration with slow-moving generals was also keenly felt by Stanton. He lived to be 55 years of age, passing away on December 24, 1869. In September 1862, the South hoped to end the war by invading Maryland just before the mid-term elections. A local lawyer in Illinois, Abraham Lincoln, was added to the case because it appeared the trial would be held in Chicago. Stanton spent several weeks, in the fall of 1868, on the political campaign trail for Ulysses Grant, who was chosen president in that violent, vicious election. There are many other examples of Stanton the efficient, Stanton the diligent, but also Stanton the arbitrary, capricious, tyrannical, vindictive, hateful, and cruel. Not long after Stanton became secretary of war he heard complaints from members of Congress about General Charles Stone, a distinguished graduate of West Point with a long Army record. Up until the time Stanton joined the cabinet his negative feelings about Lincoln were well-known in Washington circles. - Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton on Lincoln's death, April 15, 1865. Abraham Lincoln, tirelessly presided over the giant Union military establishment during most of the American Civil War (1861-65). And Stanton also became deeply involved in rooting out suspected spies and saboteurs. He would later strongly support Lincolns decision to institute the federal draft law in March 1863. Fighting to defeat the Confederacy, the first African American regiments also helped win for themselves the full rights and privileges of U.S.citizens. There was frequently pressure on Lincoln to remove Stanton, starting only weeks after he appointed the War Secretary, but Lincoln never considered it because he knew and valued Stantons work. Stanton later resorted to briefly barricading himself in his office when Johnson tried to remove him a second time in early 1868. Following the assassination of President Lincoln, Stanton took control of the investigation of the conspiracy. In his Second Inaugural Address, Abraham Lincoln embodied leading in a time of polarization, political disagreement, and differing understandings of reality. Admitted to the Ohio bar in 1836, Stanton became a highly successful attorney. Stanton transformed the Union army from a fighting force into an army of occupation, to occupy and pacify the South. In the late 1850s Stanton distinguished himself with two other prominent cases, the successful defense of Daniel Sickles for murder, and a series of complicated cases in California pertaining to fraudulent land claims. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. They claimed that Stone had inappropriate communications with rebel generals; they accused him as well of returning fugitive slaves to their Maryland masters. Edwin Stanton was one of the nation's best-known attorneys during the 1850s, an extremely effective secretary of war under President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865; served 1861-65) during most of the Civil War (1861-65), and a controversial figure in the administration of President Andrew Johnson (1808-1875; served 1865-69; see entry). Unaware of Stanton's role in this proposal Lincoln appointed Stanton to the post of Secretary of War in 1862. A prime example of how Stanton used the rails and telegraphs during the war was his movement of troops in Tennessee in the fall of 1863. Forming a close friendship with Attorney General Jeremiah S. Black, who served under President James Buchanan, Stanton supported Southern Democrat John C. Breckinridge for the presidency in 1860 because he believed that only Breckinridge could save the Union. Stanton successfully defended Congressman Daniel Sickles in his trial for the murder of Barton Key, who was having an affair with Sickles' wife. They became close friends. Of over 250 films created by Porter, his most important include: What Happened on Twenty-third Street, New York City (1901); Jack and the Beanstalk (1902); Life . Stanton was a loyal and upright man, devoted to the cause of the Union; and afterwards, as Secretary of War under President Lincoln, he achieved fame for his herculean labors in defence of that cause," wrote journalist Noah Brooks. The president exasperated Stanton, whom he called "Mars," with his humorous parables and digressions, but aides in the War Department's telegraph office would remember a camaraderie between . Stanton was born in Steubenville, Ohio, on the banks of the Ohio River, not far from Pittsburgh, in late 1814. When Cameron was compelled to resign due to his mismanagement and corruption of contracts in the War Department, Lincoln named Stanton as Camerons replacement. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. By Walter Stahr | January 6, 2022 | 1. Edwin M Stanton and the Lincoln Assassination - William & Mary Stanton did not linger with Lincoln and the doctors; he went into the next room and went to work. Stanton kept a complete set of every telegram that arrived in, and every telegram that was sent from, his war department telegraph office. The trial was actually held in Cincinnati in September 1855, and when Lincoln traveled to Ohio to participate in the trial, Stanton was remarkably dismissive. A staunch Unionist, Stanton was suspect of any military officers or public servants he thought might hold neutral or pro-Confederate stances. Copyright 1949-2023 American Heritage Publishing Co. All Rights Reserved. Indeed, it is remarkable to read the newspapers of late 1865 and early 1866, to see how popular Johnson was with almost everyone, North and South, Democrat and Republican. After he returned to Washington in early 1859, Stanton was part of the defense team for Daniel Sickles, a member of Congress, accused of murdering Philip Barton Key, in broad daylight in Lafayette Square. Knights of the Golden Circle and the Lincoln assassination Edwin McMasters Stanton was born in Steubenville, Ohio, on December 19, 1814. Learn about Ohio's contributions of soldiers and generals including Ulysses S. Grant to the Union cause, This article was most recently revised and updated by, 9 Questions About the American Civil War Answered, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edwin-M-Stanton, Spartacus Educational - Biography of Edwin Stanton, Public Broadcasting Service - Freedom A History of U.S. - Biography of Edwin Stanton, National Park Service - Biography of Edwin M Stanton, Mr. Lincoln and Friends - Biography of Edwin M. Stanton, Miller Center - Biography of Edwin M. Stanton, Edwin M. Stanton - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Edwin McMasters Stanton (December 19, 1814 - December 24, 1869) was an American lawyer and politician who served as Secretary of War under the Lincoln Administration during most of the American Civil War. For the week of the rail movement, there are hundreds of messages, such as a request by Stanton that an aide at the Washington railroad station provide him with hourly reports regarding the troops arriving from northern Virginia and departing on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad heading west. Cabinet and Vice Presidents: Edwin M. Stanton (1814-1869) Stanton is mostly remembered as the man who said Now he belongs to the ages when Abraham Lincoln died after being shot at Fords Theatre on April 14, 1865. Reading the almost daily reports of violence in the South, Stanton believed that the Army had to remain in the South, to protect southern blacks and Union sympathizers. 62 Issue 5 Henry Ulke painted an evocative portrait of Edwin Stanton that is now in the National Portrait Gallery. Stantons most famous case from this period was the Wheeling bridge case, in which he argued that the Wheeling bridge was an unlawful impediment to interstate commerce, to the steamboat traffic on the Ohio River, because the tallest steamboats could not pass under the bridge at high water. In the late 1830s Stanton began to show promise as an attorney. Edwin Stanton - Wikipedia Instead, Stanton summoned the rail leaders to Washington, told them that he would work with them, but only if they would work closely with the War Department, and charge reasonable (read very low) rates. Get HISTORYs most fascinating stories delivered to your inbox three times a week. In December 1860 he was appointed attorney general by Pres. Who was Lincolns first Secretary of War? It is generally accepted that Stanton putting his own stamp on the military during the Civil War aided the Union cause considerably. Stanton vowed to stay put until Johnsons Senate trial was over. The stew burned and stank up the office.. In 1868, to the chagrin of his wife, Stanton barricaded himself in his office and slept on a couch for more than two months until Johnsons trial ended. With calm and joyful hope, disturbed by no conflicting feeling, quiet and peaceful, I await the happy hour that shall witness our Unionto be thereafter parted no more until death part us, living only for each other; you a true and loving wife to me, I a true and devoted husband to you., The Stantons moved to Washington in late 1856, and he became an informal member of the Buchanan administration, doing legal work for the Attorney General, Jeremiah Black. Stanton organized the military trial of those accused in the murder of Lincoln and attempted murder of Seward, which ended in the execution of four of those involved, including Mary Surratt. The Gilder Lehrman Collection, New York Reference Number: GLC05111.07. Stanton greeted Abraham Lincolns arrival in Washington as president-elect with contempt. The brutal murder of hundreds of African-American soldiers at Fort Pillow had a profound effect on Northern sentiment during and after the Civil War. He was particularly critical of General George B. McClellan and actively campaigned to see him stripped of his title as general-in-chief of the Union Army in 1862. Halleck acted as a conduit between the president and secretary of war to Grant and other military departments. He agreed to continue in his post under Pres. ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/edwin-m-stanton-lincolns-secretary-of-war-1773486. He offered to mobilize armed support, but Stanton said he didnt want any bloodshed on his behalf. Lincoln referred to him as his Mars the chief manager under the president in the Unions war effort. Stanton came to believe in stronger measures. All Rights Reserved. Although other presidential parade cars were built in, it was used occasionally by Presidents Johnson, Nixon, Ford and Carter. The telegraph wires are laden with wars and rumor of wars between the contending powers for the occupancy of the dirty, dingy room devoted to the secretarys use in the dirty, dingy building in Washington city, one news service reported. 1 Who was Edwin Stanton and what did he do? Grant immediately acquiesced, and Stanton resumed his duties. Grant was elected, but Stantons health had suffered another setback from his active support of General Grant. A few days earlier, War Secretary Edwin Stanton had drafted a plan for imposing a temporary military government on Virginia and North Carolina, until the restoration of civilian rule. Partly Stantons reputation; he had a reputation for energy, efficiency, diligence, determination. Within weeks of his appointment, for example, he had secured federal legislation to authorize the president to take control of the nations rail and telegraph systems. 5 Who was Lincolns first Secretary of War? He was only fifty-five. There is a scene in Spielbergs Lincoln movie that captures this well; Lincoln and Stanton are in the telegraph room, and Lincoln is reminded of a story. Some War Department officials said they would be duty bound to recognize Thomas as the new secretary if Stanton walked outside even for a moment., Rep. John Logan (R-Ill.), a former general, moved in as a kind of personal security guard and slept on a cot. Dear Bill: The classy letters left in the Oval Office from one president to another, Obama had a secret note in his pocket during his inauguration in case of an attack, The true stories behind all the Abraham Lincoln shout-outs at Bidens inauguration, House leaders delivered an impeachment article to the Senate on Jan. 25. Edwin McMasters Stanton (1814-1869) was a lawyer and politician who served as Abraham Lincoln's secretary of war during the Civil War (1861-65). Edwin McMasters Stanton was born in Steubenville, Ohio, on December 19, 1814. Stanton's management helped organize the massive military resources of the North and guide the Union to victory. Robert J. McNamara is a history expert and former magazine journalist. At Blacks request, Stanton went to California for a year, to represent the federal government in major land cases, including one in which half of San Francisco was in dispute. But the two men worked extraordinarily well together. There is no evidence that Stanton was rude to Abraham Lincoln when they first met, although it is frequently alleged. Johnson ignored the new law and attempt to fire Stanton anyway, but he was quickly overruled by Congress. Stanton had been interested in serving on the Supreme Court for many years, and President Ulysses Grant appointed him to this post.. Andrey is a coach, sports writer and editor. He replaced Stanton with Ulysses S. Grant, but Grant resigned and sided with the Republicans against the president. Although Sickles killed a man in broad daylight in front of several witnesses, Stanton successfully argued that the was not . With Stanton providing logistics through the War Department, the armies were provided the tools to wage war. On the night that Lincoln was shot, Stanton took charge of the read analysis of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton At the start of the Lincoln administration Stanton resigned from his post as Attorney General to serve as Secretary of War Simon Cameron's legal advisor. But he did support General in Chief Hallecks collaboration with Columbia University Professor Francis Lieber, who drafted the first code on the law of war. Yet Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the famous abolitionist, called Lincoln "Dishonest Abe" in a letter she wrote to Wendell Phillips in 1864, a year after Lincoln had freed the slaves in rebel states. Death was a constant part of Stantons life. But sufficient evidence to prosecute Davis was never obtained, and after being held in custody for two years he was released. Lincoln probably heard rumors about Stantons comments and yet, in early 1862, when he needed to replace his Secretary of War, the disorganized and corrupt Simon Cameron, Lincoln turned to Stanton. His main complaint, friends said, was that he wished the reporters would leave him alone.. President Lincoln approved the code, and it became General Order 100 in 1863. He locked himself in the War Department until the Senate voted against the President's removal. As Secretary of War, Stanton lived in the style of the prosperous attorney he had been before the war but without the income he had before the war. Why did Johnson dismiss Stanton? Lincoln's Death, Stanton's Words | Walter Stahr Secretary of War Edwin Stanton's duty, after Lincoln had been removed from office was to convince everyone that the conspiracy came from within the Confederate government. McNamara, Robert. The secretary of war used his position to foster stricter Reconstruction measures than the president desired; in addition Stanton acted as the secret representative, within the cabinet, of the Radical Republicans in Congress, who were Johnsons bitter enemies. Stanton soon proved that his reputation was right. For 70 years, American Heritage has been the leading magazine of U.S. history, politics, and culture. 1 / 4 Secretary of War Edwin Stanton ordered a single photograph be taken of John Wilkes Booth's corpse, says Bob Zeller, president of the Center for Civil War Photography. Stanton insisted that Buchanan could not yield up Fort Sumter; to do so, Stanton told Buchanan, would be treason, making Buchanan just as bad as Benedict Arnold. He began practicing law in 1836. Johnson attempted to replace Stanton in 1867 and 1868, and Stanton later supported radical Republican efforts to remove Johnson from office. Grant appointed Stanton to a vacant seat on the Supreme Court out of gratitude and for his years of friendship and service. Earlier, in 1864, Stanton believed he was the best man for the recently opened job of Supreme Court Justice after the death of . He pressed President Andrew Johnson and Attorney General James Speed for a military commission to try the conspirators and personally directed the prosecution, using Judge Advocate General Joseph Holt and Congressman John Bingham as his surrogates. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Stanton went home and resumed his private law practice. That same day, House Republicans began moving to impeach Johnson for violating the Tenure of Office Act, which barred the dismissal of federal appointees without Congresss approval. Why? There was to be no compromise with the president, and Johnson turned against him. Some of the love letters that Edwin wrote to Ellen, in the months before their marriage, are in the National Archives in Washington. During Reconstruction, he clashed with Johnson over his lenient treatment of the former Confederate states. Stanton rushed to Sewards house, where he saw the blood-stained but surviving Seward, and the other victims, six in all in the house soaked in blood. When Lincoln became president, in March 1861, Stanton returned to his private legal practice here in Washington. Was Edwin Stanton involved in the Lincoln assassination? The war secretary didnt dare to go out of earshot of his office, the Boston Post reported. Andrew Johnson. In 1847 he moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and began to attract clients among the growing industrial base of the city. Johnson, the Democratic vice president, succeeded Lincoln, a Republican. The new president, Andrew Johnson, and the carry-over Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, worked reasonably well together for the first few months. Ch 18 - Creating America Flashcards | Quizlet Stanton was extremely bright, shrewd, and aggressive and was soon regarded as one of the best trial lawyers in the country. Stanton reportedly said to another lawyer, "Why did you bring that damned long-armed ape here?". The modern version of an African-Americanspiritualhas helped draw together people fighting for a better life. Grant joked to Stanton: I am surprised to find you here. President Andrew Johnson believed that the Army had to leave the South, so that southerners could govern the South. Though he had not been a political supporter of Lincoln's before joining the cabinet, he became devoted to him, and worked diligently to direct military operations until the end of the conflict. McNamara, Robert. Snubbed and shunned by Stanton and the other prominent lawyers involved in the case, Lincoln nonetheless stayed in Cincinnati and watched the trial. Stanton knew that without the Union army, without the military courts, there would be no protection from such violence. Edwin Stanton: Edwin Stanton served in two positions in the federal cabinet - the United States Attorney General and the Secretary of War. In some sense they were very different: Lincoln always ready to listen, always ready to tell a story; Stanton always impatient, often rude. Edwin M. Stanton was secretary of war in Abraham Lincoln's cabinet for most of the Civil War. (It would become the basis for the first Hague Conventions in 1899 and 1907.).
