Lincoln & Stanton

[JMadonna]

It has always boggled my mind why Lincoln chose Stanton to be his Secretary of War after Cameron left. I believe that Lincoln's first choice was Joseph Holt, but he was pressured into picking Stanton. I wonder if Seward had anything to do with this?

Craig

Most definitely Seward recommended Stanton highly. While working in the Buchanan administration as AG, Stanton not only kept Buchanan from caving but also related the ongoing cabinet discussions to Seward so that he could apply pressure from the congress.

When Seward proposed impeaching Buchanan if he surrendered Fort Sumter it was because of info passed from Stanton.

Finding a loyal and competent Union man for Secretary of War after the incompetence of Floyd and Cameron was a critical task and Stanton proved to be a godsend for Lincoln.