Edwin Stanton Tells his Story Serving as Secretary of War Under President Lincoln

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My name is Edwin McMasters Stanton, and if you know anything about the Civil War, you’ve probably heard my name. I was Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of War, the man responsible for organizing the Union Army and making sure we had everything we needed to win. I was tough, determined, and sometimes controversial—but I did what had to be done. Let me tell you my story.

I was born on December 19, 1814, in Steubenville, Ohio. My father was a doctor, but when he died suddenly, I had to grow up fast. I worked at a bookstore to help support my family while studying law at night. By the time I was in my twenties, I had become a successful lawyer, arguing cases in Ohio and later working in Washington, D.C.

Before the Civil War, I wasn’t heavily involved in politics, but I did serve as Attorney General under President James Buchanan. At the time, the country was falling apart, and I saw firsthand how weak the government was in stopping the spread of secession. I knew that war was coming, and I believed the Union had to stand firm.

When Lincoln became president, he first appointed me as legal counsel for the War Department, but in 1862, after the Union suffered major defeats, Lincoln put me in charge as Secretary of War. I had one job: turn the Union Army into a winning force. I worked day and night, making sure our troops had weapons, supplies, and reinforcements. I didn’t tolerate laziness or incompetence—if a general wasn’t doing his job, I made sure Lincoln knew it. Some people thought I was harsh, but I was focused on one thing: victory.

I worked closely with Ulysses S. Grant and supported his rise to leadership, believing he was the right man to finish the war. And I was right. In 1865, the Confederacy surrendered, and the Union was saved. But my work wasn’t over yet.

Then came April 14, 1865—the worst night of my life. I was at Lincoln’s bedside after he was shot at Ford’s Theatre. I stayed with him through the night, and when he took his last breath the next morning, I whispered, "Now he belongs to the ages." Losing Lincoln was devastating, but I didn’t have time to grieve. I immediately launched the investigation to hunt down John Wilkes Booth and his conspirators. Within days, Booth was found and killed, and his accomplices were arrested and later executed.

After the war, I remained in my position under President Andrew Johnson, but we clashed over Reconstruction. Johnson was too lenient on the South, and I believed we needed to protect the rights of freed African Americans. Our disagreements became so intense that Johnson tried to fire me, but Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act to keep me in my role. When Johnson ignored it and removed me anyway, Congress impeached him. He barely escaped removal from office, but my fight against him made history.

In 1869, President Ulysses S. Grant nominated me to the Supreme Court, a position I had always dreamed of. But before I could take my seat, I fell ill and passed away on December 24, 1869.

Looking back, I know I was not always liked, but I was respected. I fought to preserve the Union, protect Lincoln’s legacy, and ensure justice. If there’s one lesson I want you to take from my story, it’s this: sometimes, leadership means making tough decisions, even if they make you unpopular. Thank you for listening.

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