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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Stanton, Edwin McMasters (1814-1869) Order for a military commission

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01975 Author/Creator: Stanton, Edwin McMasters (1814-1869) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph document Date: 1 May 1865 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy

Written on War Dept. stationery, with "War Department" struck and substituting "Executive Chamber." Title taken from docket. A draft for the orders by which the Booth conspirators were given military trial. Written as Secretary of War.

Edwin M. Stanton was Secretary of War from 1862-1868 under Abraham Lincoln. After Lincoln's assassination, he continued his position under President Andrew Johnson. Impeachment charges were brought against President Johnson for his dismissal of Stanton. When the charges failed, Stanton resigned. He was then appointed associate justice but died before taking his seat in the Supreme Court.

Stanton, Edwin M. (Edwin McMasters), 1814-1869

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