About the same time he exercised his power in removing Sheridan and Sickles from their commands in the South and replaced them with Hancock and Canby.

The radicals were furious, but Johnson had secured at least the support of a loyal Cabinet.
The suspension of Stanton was reported to the Senate in December 1867, and on January 13, 1868, the Senate voted not to concur in the President's action.

Upon receiving notice of the vote in the Senate, Grant at once left the War Department and Stanton again took possession.
Johnson now charged Grant with failing to keep a promise either to hold on himself or to make it possible to appoint some one else who would hold on until the matter might be brought into the courts.

The President by this accusation angered Grant and threw him with his great influence into the arms of the radicals.

Against the advice of his leading counselors, Johnson persisted in his intention to keep Stanton out of the Cabinet.