History of the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, by the House of Representatives, and his trial by the Senate for high crimes and misdemeanors in office, 1868Ross, Edmund G. (Edmund Gibson)
History
History of the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, by the House of Representatives, and his trial by the Senate for high crimes and misdemeanors in office, 1868
Ross, Edmund G. (Edmund Gibson)
Johnson, Andrew, 1808-1875 -- Impeachment
resisted he should apply to the General-in-Chief of the Army for a force
sufficient to enable him to take possession of the War Department; and
he added that he did not see how the General of the Army could refuse to
obey his demand for that force. He then added that under the order that
the President had given to him he had no election to pursue any other
course than the one that he indicated; that he was a subordinate officer
directed by an order from a superior officer, and that he must pursue
that course.
Hon. T. W. Ferry, called by the Prosecution, testified from memoranda
taken down at the time of the demand of General Thomas for possession of
the War Office (Mr. Ferry being present), as follows:
War Department Washington, Feb. 22, 1867.
In the presence of Secretary Stanton, Judge Kelley, Morehead, Dodge, Van
Wyck, Van Horn, Delano, and Freeman Clarke, at 25 minutes past 12 m.,
General Thomas, Adjutant-General, came into the Secretary of War Office,
saying, "Good morning," the Secretary replying "Good morning, sir." Thomas
looked around and said, "I do not wish to disturb you gentlemen, and
will wait." Stanton said, "Nothing private here; what do you want?"
Thomas demanded of Secretary Stanton the surrender of the Secretary of
War Office. Stanton denied it to him, and ordered him back to his own
office as Adjutant-General. Thomas refused to go. "I claim the office of
Secretary of War, and demand it by order of the President."
Stanton: "I deny your authority to act, and order you back to your own
office."
Thomas: "I will stand here. I want no unpleasantness in the presence of
these gentlemen."
Stanton: "You can stand there if you please, but you can not act as
Secretary of War. I am Secretary of War. I order you out of this office
and to your own." Thomas: "I refuse to go, and will stand here."
Stanton: "How are you to get possession? Do you intend to use force?"
Thomas: "I do not care to use force, but my mind is made up as to what I
shall do. I want no unpleasantness, though. I shall stay here and act as
Secretary of War."
Stanton: "You shall not, and I order you, as your superior, back to your
own office."
Thomas: "I will not obey you, but will stand here and remain here."
Stanton: "You call stand there if you please. I order you out of this
office to your own. I am Secretary of War, and your superior."
Thomas then went into opposite room across hall (General Schriver's)
and commenced ordering General Schriver and General Townsend. Stanton
entered, followed by Moorhead and Ferry, and ordered those generals not
to obey or pay any attention to General Thomas' orders; that he denied
his assumed authority as Secretary of War ad interim, and forbade their
obedience of his directions. "I am Secretary of War, and I now order
you, General Thomas out of this place to your own quarters."
Thomas: "I will not go, I shall discharge the functions of Secretary of
War."
Stanton: "You will not."
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