Today’s sketch was made of a specific event, although we did not cover it in our usual postings.  Still, it’s an interesting subject we’d like to discuss, even if we’re a little late.  150 years ago Edwin Stanton was the new Secretary of War in the Lincoln Administration.  The ousting of the previous office holder, Simon Cameron, was good or bad news for military officers depending on their political allegiances.  After taking the position Stanton was thrown a reception which the military’s top brass attending, and was conveniently documented for us to discuss.

The War Department reception shown above occurred on January 20^th, 1862.  Stanton had just been officially sworn in to the post of Secretary of War.  Pictured in the sketch from left to right are; Major Stuart Van Vilet; George Sykes; Secretary of War Stanton; George B.  McClellan; Daniel E. Sickles; Irvin McDowell; Lorenzo Thomas; Seth Williams; and George Stoneman.  Notice the politically savvy Sickles is the one at front and center shaking Stanton’s hand.  While many high ranking generals, notably George McClellan, did not care for the political maneuvering which occurred at events like this and behind the scenes, it was a reality which affected both the Union and Confederate war efforts.

Above: Photograph of Edwin Stanton, who was Secretary of War from January 20^th, 1862 to May 28^th, 1868.