66 architects to the nation
of Chase and the outbreak of the Civil War the following month sig-
naled a major change in the Bureau of Construction. Franklin was
called away to military duty in July. Clark resumed his position as act-
ing engineer in charge. Young, now 62 years of age, had been passed
over in the several personnel changes at the head of the office. Young,
who ordinarily welcomed the opportunity to discuss employment
prospects at the office with draftsmen, now responded to such re-
quests with,  I have no power to give anyone a situation in the
 Bureau of Construction if a vacancy existed therein, but which
there does not. 63
Isaiah Rogers
In June 1862, Secretary Chase took the initiative to place the Bureau
of Construction under new leadership. Chase contacted Isaiah
Rogers (1800 1869), one of the country s distinguished architects.
Rogers had lived in Cincinnati since 1848 and likely knew Chase from
this Ohio connection. From Rogers s response to Chase s letter of 10
June 1862, it is apparent that Chase s first step was to replace Young
as supervising architect. Rogers wrote:
I have received your kind note of the 10th enquiring if I would ac-
cept the Office of the Supervising Architect in the Treasury
Department. The suggestion was so unexpected to me that I did
not know how to beside [sic] at the moment but on reflection be-
lieve it will be for the best to accept if tendered to me.64
Chase s letter to Rogers soon became known to Young when one of
Young s supporters, E. P. Walton of Washington, D.C., wrote to
Chase regarding Young s rumored removal. Walton, who knew
Young from his days on the Vermont State Capitol, urged Young s re-
tention as  I know of no man who more thoroughly minds his own
business, or who is more sensitive when he supposes anybody is
interfering or marring his own. The complaint, I am told, grows out
of this sensitiveness. Should not the virtues outweigh the fault? 65
Isaiah Rogers was appointed engineer in charge of the Bureau of
Construction on 23 July 1862. S. M. Clark became disbursing agent for
the Treasury Department. Two days later, Secretary Chase informed
Young that the duties of the supervising architect had  devolved on
the engineer in charge and that Young s services were terminated.66