Wade Gains Control of War Committee

From the Dec. 14, 2011, Biloxi/Gulfport (Miss) Sun Herald   "Benjamin Wade Gains Control of War Committee."

Known as one of the most radical of the Radical Republicans, Benjamin Wade of Ohio was given the chairmanship of the newly formed Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War.  This group came about because of embarrassing defeats at Fort Sumter, Manassas, Wilson's Creek and Ball's Bluff.

Wade, along with Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania and Charles Sumner of Massachusetts were the leaders of the Radical Republicans and all were vehemently opposed to slavery and southern power.  They thought Lincoln was too moderate and lenient. 

The defeat at Ball's Bluff brought it back as a sitting senator, Col. Edward Baker was killed.

The Radical Republicans had a great disdain for West Point-trained generals and favored those appointed for political reasons.  From 1861 to 1866, the group held 272 meetings.

No Wonder General Butler Did Not Fear It,  --Old Secesh