After War Secretary Stanton was fired by President Johnson on Feb. 21, 1868, he decided to follow Congressman Thad Steven’s advice. The very ill Radical had sent him a one-word note “Stick” and stick Stanton did. Stanton lived in his office, not vacating it to prevent his replacement, General Lorenzo Thomas, from taking over the War Department. Republican General John Logan set up shop in the War Department as well, and troops were placed there to block any move by Johnson to enforce his order.
Lorenzo Thomas insisted that he was the new Secretary of War and celebrated that night at a party where he drank way too much. Thomas was arrested the next morning for violating the Tenure of Office Act.
Thomas paid a bond of $5,000 and was released from jail. After seeing the president, he hurried over to the War Department and insisted to Stanton that he vacate the office. Stanton offered him a drink, quieting the demand for a change in leadership.
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