Did Stanton Barricade Himself in the War Department?
The American Civil War was a tumultuous period in the country’s history, marked by great battles, devastating losses, and intense political maneuvering. At the center of this turmoil was Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, who played a crucial role in the Union’s war effort. One of the most enduring and intriguing stories surrounding Stanton is the claim that he barricaded himself in the War Department during the final days of the war. But did he really?
The Context: The Final Days of the War
By April 1865, the Confederacy was on the brink of collapse. General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia had surrendered at Appomattox, and Confederate President Jefferson Davis was on the run. In Washington, D.C., President Abraham Lincoln was busy planning for the Reconstruction of the South and dealing with the aftermath of the war.
Meanwhile, Secretary of War Stanton was facing a crisis of his own. He had been at odds with General Ulysses S. Grant, the Union’s top general, over issues such as the treatment of Confederate prisoners and the role of the military in the Reconstruction process. Stanton was also concerned about the security of the War Department, which was located in a building that was vulnerable to attack.
The Barricade: Fact or Fiction?
The story of Stanton barricading himself in the War Department first emerged in the late 19th century, more than 20 years after the war. According to this account, Stanton became convinced that a group of Confederate sympathizers or even a plot by Grant and his generals to overthrow the government was imminent. In response, he ordered the doors and windows of the War Department to be barricaded, and he refused to leave the building until the crisis had passed.
However, there are several reasons to question the accuracy of this story. For one, there is no contemporary evidence to support the claim. None of the major newspapers of the time, including the New York Times and the Washington Post, reported on Stanton’s alleged barricade. Additionally, the War Department’s own records do not mention any such incident.
Stanton’s Reputation and the Motivations Behind the Story
So why did the story of Stanton’s barricade emerge so many years after the fact? One possible explanation is that it was a way to reinforce Stanton’s reputation as a dedicated and courageous public servant. Stanton was a complex figure who was both admired and reviled by his contemporaries. He was known for his strong personality and his willingness to take bold action, but he was also criticized for his autocratic style and his perceived lack of loyalty to the President.
The story of the barricade may have been a way to burnish Stanton’s reputation and to portray him as a hero who was willing to take drastic measures to protect the government. It is also possible that the story was exaggerated or invented by Stanton’s supporters or biographers as a way to enhance his legacy.
The Truth Behind the Barricade
So what really happened during the final days of the war? While we may never know for certain, it is clear that Stanton was deeply concerned about the security of the War Department and the government as a whole. He was known to be a hard worker and was often present in the War Department late into the night, dealing with the many challenges and crises that arose during the war.
It is possible that Stanton did take some measures to secure the War Department, such as ordering additional guards or reinforcing the building’s defenses. However, there is no evidence to suggest that he barricaded himself in the building or that he was planning to stay there indefinitely.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the story of Stanton barricading himself in the War Department is an intriguing one, it is likely that it is more myth than fact. The lack of contemporary evidence and the inconsistencies in the story itself make it difficult to accept as true. Instead, it is likely that Stanton was simply taking normal precautions to ensure the security of the War Department and the government during a time of great uncertainty and upheaval.
Timeline of Events
- April 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders at Appomattox, effectively ending the Civil War.
- April 14, 1865: President Abraham Lincoln is assassinated at Ford’s Theatre.
- April 26, 1865: Secretary of War Edwin Stanton orders additional guards to be posted at the War Department.
- May 1865: The War Department is evacuated and the building is prepared for demolition.
Key Players
- Edwin Stanton: Secretary of War during the Civil War
- Ulysses S. Grant: General-in-Chief of the Union Army during the Civil War
- Abraham Lincoln: President of the United States during the Civil War
- Robert E. Lee: General-in-Chief of the Confederate States Army during the Civil War
Additional Resources
- "The Life of Edwin Stanton" by B. F. Wade
- "The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies"
- "The Diary of Gideon Welles: Secretary of the Navy under Lincoln and Johnson"
