"Of the crucial men close to President Lincoln, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton (1814-1869) was the most powerful and controversial. Stanton raised, armed, and supervised the army of a million men who won the Civil War. He organized the war effort. He directed military movements from his telegraph office, where Lincoln literally hung out with him ... Now with this worthy complement to the enduring library of biographical accounts of those who helped Lincoln preserve the Union, Stanton honors the indispensable partner of the sixteenth president"--

Includes bibliographical references.

Presents the life and career of Edwin Stanton, including his appointment as Attorney General of the United States, his job as Secretary of War under President Lincoln, and after the Civil War his appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Letter regarding the pardon of Private Isaac P. Baird, of the Pa. 72nd Infantry Regiment, who was charged with desertion, and was under arrest and in prison.