Secretary of War

Robert declined the opportunity to be the assistant Secretary of State under President Rutherford B. Hayes but later accepted a Secretary of War post under President James Garfield. He served in this post from 1881 to 1885 and was the only cabinet member retained by Chester A. Arthur following Garfield’s assassination. The document above outlines plans for the publication of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion as authorized by Act of Congress approved August 7, 1882. Prepared under the direction of Robert T. Lincoln.