when I entered the room.  He wore a long calico dressing-gown, reaching to his heels; his feet were encased in a pair of old-fashioned leathern slippers, such as we used to find in the old-time country hotels, and which had evidently seen much service in Springfield.  Above these appeared the home-made blue woollen stockings which he wore at all seasons of the year.  He was sitting in a splint rocking-chair, with his legs elevated and stretched across his office table.  He greeted me warmly.  Apologizing for my intrusion at that unofficial hour, I told him I had called simply to ascertain which was the paramount power in the Government, he or the Secretary of War.  Letting down his legs and straightening himself up in his chair, he answered, ‘Well, it is generally supposed I am.  What’s the matter?’ I then briefly recalled the facts attending Sabin’s appointment, when, without comment, he said, ‘Give me my letter.’  Then, taking his pen, he indorsed upon it: 

     Let the within named J.A.  Sabin be mustered AT ONCE.  It is due to
     him and to Mr. W., under the circumstances.

     A. LINCOLN.”

Armed with this peremptory order, Mr. Wheeler called on Stanton the next morning.  The Secretary was furious.  He charged Mr. Wheeler with interfering with his prerogatives.  Mr. Wheeler remarked that he would call the next morning for the order to muster in.  He called accordingly, and, handing him the order, in a rage, Stanton said, “I hope I shall never hear of this matter again.”

It is related by Hon. George W. Julian, already quoted, that on a certain occasion a committee of Western men, headed by Mr. Lovejoy, procured from the President an important order looking to the exchange and transfer of Eastern and Western soldiers, with a view to more effective work.  “Repairing to the office of the Secretary, Mr. Lovejoy explained the scheme, as he had before done to the President, but was met with a flat refusal.  ‘But we have the President’s order, sir,’ said Lovejoy.  ‘Did Lincoln give you an order of that kind?’ said Stanton.  ’He did, sir.’  ‘Then he is a d——­d fool,’ said the irate Secretary.  ’Do you mean to say the President is a d——­d fool?’ asked Lovejoy, in amazement.  ‘Yes, sir, if he gave you such an order as that.’  The bewildered Illinoisan betook himself at once to the President, and related the result of his conference.  ’Did Stanton say I was a d——­d fool?’ asked Lincoln, at the close of the recital.  ’He did, sir, and repeated it.’  After a moment’s pause, and looking up, the President said, ’If Stanton said I was a d——­d fool, then I must be one, for he is nearly always right, and generally says what he means. I will step over and see him.’” The two men met, and the matter was easily adjusted.  It was this rare combination of good-humor and firmness with an understanding of the other’s trials and appreciation of his good qualities, that reduced the friction of official life and enabled Lincoln and Stanton to work together, in the main harmoniously and efficiently, in their great task of prosecuting the war and maintaining the integrity of the Union.