Authorization for Peter H. Watson1Jump to section
Peter H. Watson, Esq, Assistant Secretary of War is authorized to perform the duties of Secretary of War during the temporary absence of Secretary Stanton from Washington
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Annotation
[1] ADS-P, ISLA. Stanton left Washington on April 7 to attend the funeral of his brother-in-law C. P. Walcott. Peter H. Watson sent a despatch to Lincoln, who had not yet returned to the city (see Lincoln to Hooker, April 3, supra), notifying him of Stanton's departure and requesting that the authorization be sent by special messenger (DLC-RTL).