Although the article does not say so, Secretary Benjamin was a Jew. He was secretary of war, state and attorney general at different times. He lived in a house in Richmond not far from where I live and sit now.
He fled to England after the war and became to foremost expert on contract law in the English speaking world. His "Benjamin on Contracts" can still be found in most law libraries.
See http://www.amazon.com/Judah-P-Benjamin-Jewish-Confederate/dp/5557104364
http://www.amazon.ca/Judah-P-Benjamin-Eli-Evans/dp/0029099110