agreed, as soon as they were, to start the Tennessee movement. It
was determined that as soon as Mr. Stanton came into the
Department, then Colonel Scott should go out to the Western
armies and make ready for the campaign in pursuance of your plan,
as he has testified before committees. It was a great work to get
the matter started; you have no idea of it. We almost fought for
it. If ever there was a righteous claim on earth, you have one. I
have often been sorry that, knowing all this as I did then, I had
not publicly declared you as the author; but we were fully alive
to the importance of absolute secrecy. I trusted but few of our
people; but to pacify the country I announced from the Senate
that the armies were about to move, and inaction was no longer to
be tolerated. Mr. Fessenden, head of the Finance Committee, who
had been told of the proposed advance, also stated in the Senate
that what would be achieved in a few more days would satisfy the
country and astound the world.

As the expedition advanced, Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Stanton, and myself
frequently alluded to your extraordinary sagacity and unselfish
patriotism, but all agreed that you should be recognized for your
most noble service and properly rewarded for the same.

The last time I saw Mr. Stanton he was on his deathbed; he was
then most earnest in his desire to have you come before Congress,
as I told you soon after, and said that if he lived he would see
that justice was awarded you. This I have told you often since,
and I believe the truth in this matter will finally prevail.

B. F. WADE.

[Footnote 26: Stanton had been the bitterest of
Democrats. The Republicans then knew nothing
certainly of his course in Buchanan's Cabinet. His
appointment surprised the Senate. Wade knew and
endorsed him there. That was sufficient.--_Riddle's
Life of Wade._]

* * * * *

JEFFERSON, OHIO, _July 27, 1876_.

My Dear Miss Carroll:

Yours of the 22nd is at hand and its contents noticed, but I
cannot perceive, myself, that it is necessary for you to procure
any further testimony to prove to all unprejudiced minds that you