The Secretary has gone to Orange C. H., to see Col. Jones, of
the 4th Alabama, wounded at Manassas, and now in a dying condition.
Meeting with Mr. Benjamin this morning, near the Secretary's
door, I asked him if he did not think some one should act as Secretary during
Mr. Walker's absence. He replied quickly, and with interest, in the
affirmative. There was much pressing business every hour; and it was uncertain
when the Secretary would return. I asked him if he would not speak to the
President on the subject. He assented; but, hesitating a moment, said he
thought it would be better for me to see him. I reminded him of my uniform
reluctance to approach the Chief Executive, and he smiled. He then urged me to
go to the presidential mansion, and in his, Mr. B.'s name, request the
President to appoint a Secretary ad interim. I did so, for the President
was in the city that day, and fast recovering from his recent attack of ague.
Arrived at the mansion in Clay Street, I asked the servant
if I could see the President. He did not know me, and asked my name, saying the
President had not yet left his chamber. I wrote my business on a card with a pencil,
not omitting to use the name of Mr. Benjamin, and sent it up. A moment after
the President came down, shook hands with me, and, in his quick and rather
pettish manner, said “send me the order.” I retired immediately, and finding
Mr. Benjamin still in the hall of the department, informed him of my success.
Then, in conformity with his suggestion, I repaired to Adjutant-General Cooper,
who wrote the order that A. T. Bledsoe discharge the duties of Secretary of War
during the absence of Mr. Walker. This I sent by a messenger to the President,
who signed it.
Then I informed Col. Bledsoe of what had been done, and he
proceeded without delay to the Secretary's office. It was not long before I
perceived the part Mr. Benjamin and I had acted was likely to breed a storm;
for several of the employees, supposed to be in the confidence of Mr. Walker, designated
the proceeding as an “outrage;” and some went so far as to intimate that Mr.
Benjamin's motive was to have some of his partisans appointed to luerative places
in the army during the absence of the Secretary. I know not how that was; but I
am sure I had no thought but for the public service. The Secretary ad in. made
but few appointments this time, and performed the functions quietly and with
all the dignity of which he was capable.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p. 73-4
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