# Edwin M. Stanton — Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant character guide

> Edwin M. Stanton in Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant by Ulysses S. Grant.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Stanton, Secretary Stanton, Hon. E. M. Stanton

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Snapshot

The Secretary of War whose Washington presence shadows Grant's campaigns, the civilian authority weighing every telegram from the front.

## Who they are

Stanton sits at the center of Union war administration, the man through whom Grant's requests for troops, transports, and reinforcements must pass. Grant writes to him and around him, negotiating the distance between field command and political oversight. His influence shapes how the war is supplied and sustained, and his relationship with Grant becomes one of the quiet pressures behind every major campaign.

## In the story

### [The Campaign Against Vicksburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xxx)

Secretary of War; mentioned in the context of instructions regarding the employment of freedmen.

### [First Meeting with Secretary Stanton—General Rosecrans—Commanding Military Division of Mississippi—Andrew Johnson’s Address—Arrival at Chattanooga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xl)

Secretary of War; meets Grant in Indianapolis and travels with him to Louisville, delivers orders creating the Military Division of Mississippi.

### [The Relief of Knoxville](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xlv)

Stanton is criticized for withholding Grant's orders and temporarily usurping his authority as General-in-Chief, though he later apologizes.

### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/xlvi)

Cautions Grant against sharing plans with the President; later offers Buell an assignment.

### [Chapter LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lvii)

Objects to Sheridan's appointment due to his youth.

### [LXI: Expedition Against Fort Fisher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lxi)

Secretary of War; arrives after the fort's fall and promotes officers for gallantry.

### [LXVII: Negotiations at Appomattox](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lxvii)

Secretary of War; Grant telegraphs him with news of the surrender.

### [LXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lxix)

Secretary of War; denounces Sherman's terms and orders Grant to take charge in North Carolina.

### [The End of the War — The March to Washington — One of Lincoln’s Anecdotes — Grand Review at Washington — Characteristics of Lincoln and Stanton — Estimate of the Different Corps Commanders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/lxx)

Characterized as timid, interfering, and assuming executive functions; contrasted with Lincoln's trustfulness.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/conclusion)

Mentioned as Secretary of War in discussions about Mexico.

### [Report of Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant, of the United States Armies 1864–65](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/report-of-lieutenant-general-u-s-grant-of-the-united-states-armies-1864-65)

Secretary of War; recipient of Grant's official report.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/chapters/endnotes)

Secretary of War; recipient of Grant's recommendation for promotions.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se/characters/edwin_m_stanton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/personal_memoirs_of_ulysses_s_grant_se
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