Existing comment:
Temporary Seat of Government:
Back Parlor:
Edwin M. Stanton directed all functions of the executive branch from this room. Stanton conducted interrogations and directed the manhunt for Booth and his accomplices.
James Tanner, a government clerk who lived next door, served as stenographer for the Secretary of War throughout the night.
The Secretary of War also summoned members of Lincoln's Cabinet to this room and held an emergency Cabinet meeting in which they drafted a letter to inform Vice President Andrew Johnson of his imminent Presidency.
"Within fifteen minutes I had testimony enough to hang Wilkes Booth... the assassin." -- James Tanner |