Secretary of War Edwin McMasters Stanton
Portrayed By Samuel Washburn (RIP December 4, 2023)
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Impressionist Sam Washburn portrayed Edwin M. Stanton during his service as Secretary of War under the Lincoln administration from 1862 to 1865. It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of Sam Washburn on December 4, 2023.
Stanton succeeded Simon Cameron who had fallen out of favor. He was not President Lincoln's first choice but was endorsed by his Secretary of State, William Seward and Treasury Secretary Salmon Chase. Following his nomination and confirmation, Stanton acted swiftly to heal the fractious relationships with Congress and overhaul the bureaucracy of the War Department. Stanton proved unrelenting in his management of the war effort. Early on he ordered the cancelation of all foreign military goods contracts spurring Northern industrial production, revamped the transport system making extensive use of railroads for the shipment of war materials, and revolutionized the use of the telegraph system to manage military actions. A staunch Unionist, he strongly backed Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and advocated for the enlistment of black troops in the war effort. Over time, Lincoln came to view Stanton as one of his most valuable associates. |
Sam as Stanton at Blenheim Historic Site, Fairfax Virginia in 2017. Photo by Joel S Wallen.