Expressing Your Anger

Stanton, the secretary of war under Abraham Lincoln, was furious because an officer had failed to carry out an order. Whether the officer had deliberately disobeyed him or failed to comprehend his order was irrelevant. In Stanton’s eyes, the mistake was unforgivable. “I believe I’ll sit down,” he said, “and give that man a piece of my mind.”

“Do so,” said Lincoln. “Write it now, while you have it on your mind. Make it sharp. Cut him all up.”

Stanton followed Lincoln’s advice with alacrity. He wrote a sharp and exceedingly candid rebuke and read it aloud to Lincoln, who said, “That’s right. That’s a good one.”

“Through whom should I send it?” Stanton mused.