View source for Edwin McMasters Stanton

'''Edwin McMasters Stanton''' (December 19, 1814–December 24, 1869) was an American lawyer and politician who served as United States Secretary of War under the [[Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln Administration]] during most of the [[United States Civil War]]. Stanton's management helped organize the massive military resources of the [[United States of America|North]] and guide the Union to victory. However, he was criticized by many Union generals, who perceived him as overcautious and micromanaging.[''Chancellorsville: Revolt of the General, ''Washington Post.'' 1996].  He also organized the manhunt for Lincoln's assassin, [[John Wilkes Booth]].

After [[assassination of Abraham Lincoln|Lincoln's assassination]], Stanton remained as the Secretary of War under the new [[US president]], [[Andrew Johnson]], during the first years of [[Reconstruction Era of the United States|Reconstruction]]. He opposed the lenient policies of Johnson towards the former [[Confederate States]]. Johnson's attempt to dismiss Stanton ultimately led to Johnson being impeached by the [[Radical Republicans]] in the House of Representatives. Stanton returned to law after he retired as Secretary of War. In 1869, he was nominated as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States by Johnson's successor, [[Ulysses S. Grant]], but Stanton died four days after his nomination was confirmed by the Senate.

[[category:Foote Family Papers]]
[[category:United States Civil War]]