Lincoln & Stanton

[Thomas Thorne]

Lincoln and Stanton had a good cop/bad cop relationship. There are instances in which Lincoln lamented his inability to please a caller by citing's Stanton's opposition. On other occasions Stanton,not wishing to diminish his reputation as the ferocious Mars,would refer petitioners to Lincoln,knowing Lincoln would be merciful.

The two were personally close enough that they and their wives spent time together at the Soldiers Home. An attack by Confederate Cavalry might have scooped up both of them.
Tom