USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts in the Civil War > Part 13
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
officer on the staff of Major-General Andrews, of the Massa- chusetts Volunteer Militia. They had been detailed on special duty at New York and Philadelphia.
April 22. - The Governor telegraphs to the Superintendent of the Springfield Armory, " Can you send me to-night a first- rate armorer, who is a judge of arms, ready to go where lie may be wanted for six weeks?" A first-rate armorer, Charles McFarland, was procured, who went abroad with Mr. Crown- inshield, two days after, to purchase arms. Governor acknowl- edges receipt of a check for five hundred dollars from George Draper, "to be appropriated for the relief of the families of those who have fallen or may fall in obeying the call of their country." Gives a letter to Rev. N. Shepard, pastor of the Tremont-Street Baptist Church, who said he should " start for Washington this evening, if he had to walk all the way." Acknowledges the receipt from. William Dehon of eighty-eight flannel shirts "for the soldiers of Massachusetts who may be unprovided for in the present emergency." Requests S. G. Ward, of Boston, banker, " to issue a letter of credit in favor of F. B. Crowninshield for fifty thousand pounds sterling." Tele- graphs Simeon Draper, New York, that Mr. Crowninshield "will be at Fifth Avenue Hotel to-night, to take steamer 'Persia' for Liverpool on Wednesday." Writes to General Butler, that " the citizens of Salem have appointed Dr. Lincoln R. Stone to attend to the wants of the companies that have marched from that city, and that he would see that the funds raised by sub- scription for that purpose may be properly expended." Writes to President Lincoln, that "Ex-Governor Boutwell has been appointed the agent of the Commonwealth to proceed to Wash- ington to confer with him in regard to the forts in Massachu- setts and the militia." Governor Boutwell was also to see General Wool in New York. Instructs Mr. Crowninshield " that he is to procure twenty-five thousand stand of arms, of the best style and patterns, and to have them conform as nigh as possible to those now in use in the army." He was to co-ope- rate with agents from other loyal States, and to look out if agents of disloyal States were abroad on a similar errand. Writes to Secretary Cameron, that Ex-Governor Boutwell will
121
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS OF THE GOVERNOR.
confer with him in regard to garrisoning our forts with militia ; also recommends that a guard be placed at the United-States Arsenal at Springfield. "Two thousand men could be thus employed, who would enlist for one or two years, be drilled as soldiers, and sent forward when required." Telegraphs to Secre- tary of War for " one or two thousand smooth-bore muskets, of which there are one hundred thousand at the Springfield Arsenal." Acknowledges with thanks the offer of the Empire Association of Lynn to "give to the new volunteer company raised in that city sixty-six military frock-coats." Thanks " Mr. Tilson, and the ladies of the Baptist Church and Society of Ilingham, for the tender of their services to make clothing and sew for the soldiers."
April 23. - The Governor writes a letter to Major-General Wool, introducing William L. Burt, of Boston, who was in- structed to " get authority to garrison the forts in Boston harbor with militia." Jolin M. Forbes, by direction of the Governor, writes to Samuel M. Felton, of Philadelphia : "Your informa- tion about matters at Annapolis received. The expedition which left New York yesterday will take care of Annapolis ; but we shall continue our preparations, including armed ships. Look out for Port Deposite. Keep us posted." Governor writes to Mrs: Harriot C. Gould and Mrs. Harriot A. Jaquith, who had offered to furnish the 'soldiers with the New Testa- ment, and informs them " that each soldier of the Fifth Regi- ment, which left Boston on Sunday, had been furnished with a Bible ; and there is an abundant supply to furnish those who are expected to leave." Writes to Henry A. J. Williams that " colored men cannot be enrolled in the militia. It cannot be done by law, which limits the militia to white male citizens. Personally, he knows no distinction of class or color, in his regard for his fellow-citizens, nor in their regard for our com- mon country." Writes to Mrs. Devereux, wife of Captain Devereux, of the Eighth Regiment, who had offered her services as a nurse, " that he would be reluctant to call into the field another member of a family which has already contributed so many of its children to the country." Two brothers of Captain Devereux were also in the service.
122
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
April 24. - The Governor writes to Governor Washburn, of Maine, that " the understanding is, that Mr. Crowninshield is to purchase three thousand rifled muskets, of the most approved pattern, for Maine, and Maine is to bear her proportion of the expenses of the agent." Also to Governor Goodwin, of New Hampshire, that Mr. Crowninshield is to purchase two thou- sand muskets for that State, with the same understanding in regard to sharing expenses.
April 25. - The Governor writes to the Trustees of the State Nautical-School Ship, inclosing an order passed by the Execu- tive Council, "to place guns on board the ship, and to have the boys drilled in their use for the defence of the coast. The guns are to be four bronze six-pounders." Writes to the Secre- tary of War a letter introducing Wilder Dwight and George L. Andrews, who were going to Washington to get authority to raise a regiment of volunteers for the war. He had written to the Secretary on the 17th on the subject, but had received no answer. He fully indorses the scheme, and " hopes it may receive such assistance and co-operation from the United States as can with propriety be offered. Major Gordon, who will command the regiment, is a gentleman of careful military edu- cation and large executive ability ; and it will be officered by such gentlemen as Mr. Andrews and Mr. Dwight, gentlemen of the best standing in Massachusetts." Writes to the Com- mander of the Charlestown Navy Yard, " Allow me to advise and urge you to hold at the navy yard, or under your control, all naval officers who will not swear allegiance to the United-States Government, until instruction can be got from Washington." Writes to the Secretary of War, "In addition to raising Gor- don's regiment, we can send you four thousand more troops within a very short time after receipt of a requisition for them. Do you wish us to send men as we may get them ready, without waiting requisitions? What shall we do, or what do you wish us to do, about provisioning our men? Is Fortress Monroe supplied with provisions? Will you authorize the enlistment here, and mustering into the United-States service, Irish, Ger- mans, and other tough men, to be drilled und prepared here for service? We have men enough of such description, eager
123
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS OF THE GOVERNOR.
to be employed, sufficient to make three regiments. Finally, will you direct some general instructions and suggestions to be sent to me as to any thing, no matter what or how much, you may wish from Massachusetts, and procure General Scott also to do so? and we will try and meet, so far as may be, every wish of the Government up to the very limit of our resources and power. Will you put the six thousand rifles, now at the United-States Arsenal at Watertown, at our disposal for our men, and send immediately orders for that purpose? We shall be able to replace them at an early day, if it shall be necessary." Ac- knowledges the receipt of a letter from George T. Curtis, of New York, who had written " to express his sincere apprecia- tion of, and thanks for, his co-operation in all actions taken by the Commonwealth, and by himself as its chief magistrate, to maintain the integrity and supremacy of the Federal Union."
April 26. - Governor writes to Commodore Hudson, Navy Yard, Charlestown, "John M. Forbes is acting as agent for the Commonwealth in fitting up and preparing the 'Cambridge' as an armed steamer for coast defence, and for the benefit of the common cause. Will you be good enough to oblige us with furnishing him with guns, armament, and ammunition he may need from the navy yard? Any aid you may give will serve the great object nearest the hearts of us all, and receive my lasting gratitude." To George S. Boutwell, Groton, Mass. : "We need your information, influence, and acquaintance with the Cabinet, and knowledge of Eastern public sentiment, to leave immediately for Washington. Hope you will proceed at once, and open and preserve communication between you and myself." To Montgomery Blair, Postmaster-General : "Hon. Dwight Foster, our Attorney-General, will hand you this note, with my full commendations. Mr. Foster is a gentleman with whom you can take counsel, finding him full of the fire and hard-working zeal of Massachusetts. How long, O Lord ! how long will they delay our people?" To George Ashmun, Spring- field, Mass. : "A Mr. T. Jones Lyman, of Montreal, Canada West, informs me that there are two hundred thousand percus- sion muskets at the armories, either at Quebec or Montreal. Will you ascertain if there is any way in which they can be
124
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
bought?" Governor to General John E. Wool, commanding Department of the East, New York : " I have garrisoned Fort Independence, on Castle Island, in Boston harbor, with a battalion of infantry of one hundred and fifty men ; and shall have another battalion of the same strength in Fort Warren, on George's Island, on Monday morning. I have a third battalion, which I can station at Fort Winthrop ; and there are from two to three thousand volunteers, whom I wish to place under drill and disci- pline, in these forts. In Fort Independence, there are none of the casemate guns mounted, and no barbette guns on the face which vessels entering the harbor approach. In Forts Warren and Winthrop there are no guns. This important harbor, there- fore, seems to be almost entirely undefended. I would therefore request you to order Captain Rodman [Watertown Arsenal] to supply these forts with the guns and carriages necessary for their defence, and detail an officer of engineers to put the works in proper condition. If an officer of artillery could also be detailed to give the necessary instruction, the garrison would soon be able to use the guns with effect. Please give us the order for the guns and carriages at once." Governor to Governor Washburn, of Maine (telegram) : "New York urges that Maine would hurry forward her men. We have parted with certain equip- ments to Mr: Blaine, the agent of your adjutant." Governor to Governor Fairbanks, of Vermont (telegram) : " New York wants Vermont to hurry. The case is urgent. Your adjutant said that the three hundred muskets we let him have would finish equipment."
April 27. - By direction of the Governor, Colonel Sargent, aide-de-camp, writes to Secretary Cameron, asking "to have the Irish Brigade, so called, sent to the forts to help man them and place the guns." Governor to General Wool, "Cannot you send us an officer of the United States army, with authority to superintend the military operations, and to give us some advice, from time to time, on military questions ?" By direc- tion of the Governor, Colonel Browne, private secretary, writes to the Mayor of Boston, in reply to a letter of the day before, " Concerning the action of the city of Boston in reference to the subsistence of troops detailed to garrison the forts in the
125
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS OF THE GOVERNOR.
harbor, His Excellency directs me to say, that at the earliest practical moment, probably during the first days of the coming week, he shall place troops in the forts, to whom the bounty of the city will apply ; and the Adjutant-General is instructed to superintend and arrange all the details of the operation." Gov- ernor to John M. Forbes, "Buy the 'Pembroke' on the best terms possible, letting the merchants or coast-guard company put in such part of the cost as you can arrange. She must be armed and fitted with all reasonable speed, and be prepared to carry stores. She must only be used as coast-guard, when we can spare her from transportation. Let the alterations be as few as possible, so as to keep her cost down to the lowest point compatible with effi- ciency as an armed storeship." Governor to James M. Stone, who had given valuable aid as assistant-quartermaster : "I received your account last Saturday, with your admirable, full, and accu- rate report. The whole forms a model statement. I will have the account passed to-day by the Council." The Council ap- proved Mr. Stone's account, and voted to pay him seventy-five dollars for his services, which he declined to receive, as he in- tended his services to be gratuitous.
April 29. - Governor to Rev. Dr. Stearns, President of Amherst College : "I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter concerning the three young gentlemen, students of Amherst College, - Mr. James A. Rhea and Mr. Joseph B. Rhea, of Blountville, Tenn., and Mr. William A. Stay- maker, of Alexandria, Va., - who, you assure me, are loyal to their Government, and who, on account of the perils of the times, are summoned by their friends to return to their homes. No persons who are loyal to their Government need any ' pass- port or testimonial,' from me or from any other person, to travel freely throughout this Commonwealth ; and I feel confident, that the travel of such persons throughout the United States will be obstructed nowhere, unless, by traitors and rebels, or as a mili- tary necessity by troops acting against traitors and rebels." Governor to George Dwight, Superintendent of the Springfield Armory, introducing Mr. Blaine, agent of the State of Maine, who wished to get three thousand muskets for that State. Governor to Robert M. Mason, of Boston : " I hold a check for
126
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
ten thousand dollars, payable to my order, being the gift of William Gray, Esq., for the benefit and relief of the families of the Massachusetts privates and non-commissioned officers called into active service. It was tendered to me before the forma- tion of the 'Committee of One Hundred ;' and I now, with Mr. Gray's consent, at your convenience, desire to place it in your hands, as the treasurer of the committee, for appropriate distribution according to the methods and rules of that organi- zation. I cannot perform this pleasing task without adding a feeble expression of the deep sensibility with which I received this noble and characteristic munificence, and of the honor I feel in being made the instrument of its transmission." Also, a similar letter to Mr. Mason, transmitting a cheek of Mrs. Han- nah F. Lee for one thousand dollars. To Governor Bucking- ham, of Connecticut, " We cannot furnish you with muskets, as we have exhausted our store. Will you co-operate with us, and have some bought by our agent in England?" To Dr. William J. Dale, "Express to Mrs. Tyler, and other citizens of Baltimore, my thanks for the care they have taken of our wounded men in that city."
These extracts show the variety of topics which, in the first two weeks of the war, engaged the Governor's attention. The letters on file in the Adjutant-General's office, embracing the same period, also disclose much that is of interest, though in a more limited and local sense. They are chiefly confined to answering inquiries made by selectmen of towns, and ap- plications made by young men to raise new companies, many of whom were afterwards officers in the volunteer service, and rose to high commands. On the 25th of April, the Adjutant- General received a letter from Addison Gage & Co., of Boston, tendering to the Massachusetts soldiers a ship-load of ice. The letter says, -
:
" The Massachusetts troops who have so nobly responded to the call of our Government for the defence of the capital, being, for the most part, in the habit of using ice, and now called to a warm climate, where it is more a necessity than a luxury, we shall be happy to contribute a cargo for their use, the time to be at your disposal, whenever you deem it expedient to send it. In case there is no suitable place to receive
127
THE DEAD WHO FELL AT BALTIMORE.
the eargo, it ean be packed in the vessel, and kept for months, with proper care."
The offer was accepted, and a vessel was chartered to take the ice to Fortress Monroe. The occupants of Quincy Market, of whom Hiscock & Winslow and Harrison Bird were a com- mittee, contributed a large quantity of fresh provisions, which were preserved on the ice, and sent in the ship.
On the 1st of May, the bodies of Luther C. Ladd, Addison O. Whitney, and Sumner II. Needham, who were killed in Baltimore on the 19th of April, reached Boston. Even then the names of the dead were not positively known. The bodies were properly received, and placed in the receiving-vault at King's Chapel. That same afternoon, the Governor wrote to Colonel Jones, of the Sixth Regiment, -
" Mr. Merrill S. Wright arrived at Boston this afternoon in charge of the bodies of three Massachusetts soldiers who fell at Baltimore. They were received by me at the depot, and were conveyed, under an appropriate escort, to the King's Chapel, where they are deposited until they can be finally interred with appropriate funeral honors. When- ever you can obtain the finite and absolutely certain information con- cerning the names of the three dead, I desire you to inform me. I understand them to be James Keenan, of Stoneham; Edward Coburn, of Lowell ; and S. Henry Needham, of Lawrence : but I desire to obtain final and official information as to the correctness of my pres- ent understanding."
Ile also wrote to Mr. Sargent, Mayor of Lowell, -
" I met these relics of our brave and patriotie soldiers at the Wor- cester Railroad Depot, accompanied by my military staff and the Executive Council, where we took them in charge, and, under the escort of the corps of ' Independent Cadets,' bore them through our streets, thronged by sympathizing citizens, and placed them in the ' Vassall' tomb, beneath the ancient King's Chapel, at the corner of Tremont and School Streets. There they remain, subject to the orders of those friends who have the right to decide their final disposi- tion. But it would be most grateful to the Excentive Department, in co-operation with those nearest to the lamented dead, to assist in the last funeral honors to their memory ; and I should be pleased to meet you, and the Mayor of Lawrenee, and the Selectmen of Stoneham, as soon ns you may convene them, at the State House, to consider the arrange- ments suitable to this occasion."
128
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
On the 2d of May, Colonel Sargent, of the Governor's staff, wrote to Mrs. Mary E. Whitney : -
" I promised to write to you if I learned any thing of interest to you. There are no marks of any description whatever on the arms of the man whom you saw this afternoon. I had a careful examination made. There is no doubt whatever that this man and your husband are two entirely different persons. There is no reason to think that any harm has come to your husband. I have no doubt he is alive and well, and doing his duty like a good citizen and brave soldier."
James Keenan and Edward Coburn were wounded in Balti- more, but neither of them fatally. Of the four who were killed, Charles Taylor was buried in Baltimore. No trace of his family or friends has ever been discovered. Needham was buried in Lawrence ; Whitney and Ladd, in Lowell. The funeral services at Lawrence and Lowell, over the bodies of these first martyrs of the great Rebellion, were grand and imposing. In each city, monuments of enduring granite have been raised to commemorate their deaths, and to be their sepul- chres.
On the 2d of May, Governor Andrew wrote to Simeon Draper, of New York, that he had " about four thousand troops already in the field, as many more ready at brief notice ; proba- bly ten thousand drilling, hoping for an opportunity. Why don't the Government call faster ? We sent a steamer with sup- plies to-day." The steamer here referred to was the "Cam- bridge," which had been fitted out by the State, and had sailed, laden with supplies of clothing and provisions for the Massa- chusetts troops, on the 1st of May. She had also some re- eruits for the Third Regiment, and a company for the Rifle Battalion. After taking out certain supplies and men at For- tress Monroe, she was to go by the Potomac to Washington, if it were safe to do so. Governor Andrew wrote to General Scott a detailed statement of the expedition. Ile said, - :
" Ist. I desire our Massachusetts troops to receive and have the first benefit of our supplies, but, if need be, that others should share them.
"2d. That, if you see any objection to the ' Cambridge' going up the Potomac, you would give orders to Captain Matthews, her com- mander, who is instructed to receive your directions."
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STEAM TRANSPORTS WITH PROVISIONS.
The vessel cleared for Annapolis ; but her real destination was Washington, and she was the first ship that arrived there with troops and supplies of clothing and provisions. On ar- riving at Washington, Captain Matthews was ordered to report to General Scott, and, if he needed the steamer for the public service, to obey his commands ; if not, to return immediately to Boston. Ilis sealed orders were to report " first to the senior Massachusetts officer at Fortress Monroe, and deliver to him such supplies and special packages as shall be designated for that port.
" Second, if at Fortress Monroe he should hear from General Butler that the passage up the Potomac was dangerous, he was to wait twenty-four hours for orders from General Scott; and, if he received orders from him not to proceed up the Potomac, he was to proceed forthwith to Annapolis, land Captain Dodd's company, and turn over the stores to the senior Massachusetts officer in command. He was to bring back 'such sick or duly discharged soldiers' as he might be requested to take and could accommodate." If at any time he should be attacked, he was to resist, and, if possible, to take or sink the attacking vessel. Ile was to preserve strict discipline, and to practise, at suitable times, with his guns. He was to offer to every Massachusetts command he felt in with to bring home any letters or packages they might wish to send home to friends.
The following is a list of reserved stores sent to Fortress Mon- roe, purchased and shipped by John M. Forbes, under orders from the Governor : -
00 beef barrels mess beef, at $10 per bbl. . $600.00
30 beef barrels prime pork, at $14 per bbl. 420.00
5,000 lbs. hams, about, at 10 cents per lb. . 500.00
20 kegs lard, about 850 lbs., nt 12 cents per lb. 102.00
1,000 lbs. butter, about, at 23 cents per lb. 230.00
2,000 lbs. cheese, about, at 11 cents per lb. 220.00
2,000 lbs. of sugar, about, nt 8 cents per lb. 500 lbs. Oolong tea, abont, at 35 cents per lb. 1,000 lbs. coffee, about, at 13 cents per lb. . 130.00
160.00
175.00
10,000 lbs. pilot bread, nbout, at 4 cents per lb. 400.00
5 beef bbls. pickles, about, at 1s. per gall. Lot ments in canisters, for officers, valued at 100.00
33.33
$3,070.33
9
130
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
On the 3d of May, Governor Andrew addressed the follow- ing letter to President Lincoln : -
" I hand you copy of a letter addressed to the Commissary-General, explaining the action they (the agents I have appointed) have taken to provide subsistence for our Massachusetts troops.
" Cut off as we were from connection with you, I took the responsi- bility of providing and forwarding such things as could be bought advantageously here, believing they will be found useful to the army and navy.
" I hope that you will direct the proper department to take charge of such of their supplies as are suitable to their use, and pay for the same, as suggested. We have, further, under the pressure of the exigency, taken the responsibility of joining the underwriters and merchants of Boston in buying, fitting out, and, with the help of Captain Hudson, arming two propellers, for the combined purpose of coast-guard and transports for troops and supplies.
"Neither of the vessels is exactly what is wanted; but they are strong, useful, nearly new, and are bought at prices but little above their commercial value in peaceful times, and can hardly fail to be use- ful to the public service in the impending struggle. If you approve our action, will you be pleased to direct the proper departments, either to receive the vessels at their cost, as if bought for the United-States Gov- ernment, or, if that is impossible, to give them employment in carrying stores and troops, at the highest prices which are paid to individuals, with the assurance that the vessels will be always at the disposition of Government, and will meantime be used to guard our coasts, and allay the apprehension of our people regarding the threatened piratical proceedings of the secessionists ? A description of these vessels is annexed.
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