USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts in the Civil War > Part 14
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" I beg leave to add, that, immediately upon receiving your proc- lamation, we took up the war, and have carried on our part of it in the spirit in which we believe the Administration and the American people intend to act; namely, as if there was not an inch of red tape in the world.
" We have now enough additional men to furnish you with six more regiments to serve for the war, unless sooner discharged.
" We think the efficiency of any further levies will be much greater if you will muster them, and put them into camps at once for some drill- ing here. The men we offer, besides fighting, can do any other things for which there may be occasion, from digging clams up to making piano-fortes.
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LOAN OF MONEY TO THE GOVERNMENT.
" Fervently devotional to the cause of our country and to the great interests of our country and of the great interests of posterity as well as our own time, and cordially in earnest in the support of the honor and success of your Administration, the people of Massachusetts are ready for the amplest and promptest obedience to your commands."
The above letter was inclosed in one to Mr. Foster, the Attorney-General of the State, who was in Washington. He was requested to call upon the President and deliver it to him, and to exert his power and influence to have matters properly adjusted and permanently settled.
A number of ladies of Cambridge formed a society to work for the soldiers. They requested Professor Washburn, of the Law School, to communicate their purpose to the Governor, who wrote, May 3, in acknowledgment of the offer as fol- lows : -
" In glancing over the list of their names, I realize most completely how deep a hold the cause, in behalf of which those troops are mus- tered, has upon every social class in our community ; that there are no hands in Massachusetts too delicate to contribute something to the work. Almost the next letter which I opened, after breaking the seal of yours, was from a poor needle-woman, saying she had but little, but desiring to give something from that little in the same behalf; and surely a cause which so appeals both to the garret and the drawing- room cannot be other than national and just."
May 4, Governor writes to J. Amory Davis, President of the Suffolk Bank, -
" Please read the within. We shall have an extra session of our Legislature on Tuesday, May 14. Will the banks of Massachusetts take $5,000,000 of United-States loan at par? If not, - supposing that the Legislature of Massachusetts should authorize a loan of $5,000,000 to the United States, - would the banks lend that amount to this Commonwealth? They have already offered it more than $6,000,000. Will you confer on this subject with the gentlemen upon State Street? I should like to see you, and any others who will take an interest in this subject, at your first convenience."
This brings the correspondence of the Governor to the day when orders were issued by the War Department, that no more three months' regiments would be accepted. On the 3d of
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
May, 1861, the President called for thirty-nine regiments of in- fantry and one regiment of cavalry, to serve for three years, or during the war, making an aggregate of officers and enlisted men of 42,034 volunteers. On the 4th of May, General Order No. 15 was issued by the Secretary of War, in which directions were given respecting the organization of the volunteers, but nothing was said regarding the number of regiments which each State was to furnish; and it was not until the 22d of May, eighteen days after the call had been made, that the quota which Massachusetts was to furnish was received from Washington. During this interval, companies in all parts of the State were offering their services, and pressing to be accepted. These com- panies comprised in the aggregate at least 10,000 effective men. After much solicitation on the part of the Governor, by letter, telegram, and gentlemen appointed by him to visit Washington, leave was given to furnish six regiments of infantry. But, before entering upon a narration of the three years' regiments, other matters claim attention.
Reference has already been made to the valuable services rendered by John M. Forbes at the outbreak of the war. His labors ceased only with the war. In a letter of recent date, written by Mr. Forbes, he says : -
" When the war fairly broke out, on the Monday after Fort Sumter fell, 14th or 15th of April, I first remember taking part in the trans- port question. In common with all Massachusetts, I then offered my services to the Governor, and was authorized to make preliminary arrangements for securing transportation. I accordingly got posted up, with the help of George B. Upton, Esq., of Boston, and Colonel Borden, of Fall River, as to the available steamers at both places, and was accordingly prepared to act, when, about five, P.M., of Tuesday, the 16th [?] of April, Colonel Harry Lee, of Ilis Excellency's staff, conveyed to me an order to go ahead with vessels; the despatch having arrived to start two regiments for Fortress Monroe, besides those which it was arranged to send by land. I remember well the electric shock which this order gave me. I felt that it would the whole country. A north-east storm was blowing ; and a glance at the window was enough to enable me to tell the colonel, 'Too late for to-night.' But, with the help of the friends above referred to, you will remember, that, the fol- lowing night (Wednesday), we got off one regiment by the ' Spaulding,'
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LETTER OF JOHN M. FORBES.
one by the 'State of Maine,' in company with the Sixth, whichi was sent by railway to New York, Baltimore, and Washington. In this connection, it may be worth while to recall the circumstances under which Governor Andrew disobeyed (fortunately) the order of the War Department to send his troops to Fortress Monroe via Baltimore by rail. I had heard two months earlier from S. M. Felton, not only the plot to attack Mr. Lincoln in Baltimore, but also the plan which he had discovered of burning the bridges on his road between Perryville and Baltimore; and this suggested still more strongly than the mere arguments of convenience the importance of re-enforcing Fortress Monroe by sea. I accordingly took a chart of the coast up to the State House, and pointed out to the Governor the ease and certainty with which he could place the troops at the fortress by water, with the additional advantage of having any or all of them taken directly up to Annapolis or Washington, in case they were needed for the defence of the capital. The Governor looked at his orders from General Scott, which were to send the whole by rail, then scrutinized the chart carefully, and, after a short delay, replied, ' It's a clear case ; be ready to send the two regiments by water.' This was, I think, on Monday, the glorious day when our Massachusetts men were rallying from their fields, workshops, and homes to defend the flag. If you will take the trouble to look at the charters of the 'Spaulding' and the 'State of Maine,' you will find a clause allowing the Governor to order the ships either to Annapolis or Washington ; and in the telegraphie letter-book at the State House you will find a telegram, dated, I think, Wednesday, to General Scott, informing him when, these two regiments would be due at Fortress Monroe, and also that the charters of the vessels pro- vided for taking them up to either place. This, you will notice, was before the burning of the bridges or the fight of 19th of April in Baltimore; and it is due to Samuel M. Felton, that the historian should award to him the credit of calling General Butler's attention to the Annapolis route, as the best means of reaching Washington."
While Mr. Forbes, Mr. Upton, and Colonel Borden were active in securing transports to forward troops, other gentle- men were interesting themselves with the subject. William F. Durfee, of Fall River, wrote to the Adjutant-General, April 15,-
" Governor Sprague, of Rhode Island, has been trying to charter steamers of Colonel Borden, of Fall River, to take a Rhode Island regiment to Washington. I think they may succeed in getting the
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
' Empire State.' The ' Metropolis' is laid up, and will not be ready for two or three days. Application has also been made from New York. I write for the purpose of posting you in regard to the operations of our neighboring States. The gentleman stated that Governor Sprague intended to have the Rhode-Island troops in Washington in advance of any other State in New England ; and I have an ambition to see the Massachusetts men there as soon as ' Little Rhody's,' - sooner, if possi- ble. If they can get the ' Empire State,' they intend to leave Provi- dence Thursday, at twelve o'clock."
The " Empire State " was chartered by Governor Sprague, but the Rhode-Island troops did not get to Washington first. The following extracts from letters received by the Adjutant-General show in part the patriotic feeling which inspired the people : -
April 15. - Charles Bowers, of Concord, writes, " Believing most fervently in the doctrine vindicated at the Old North Bridge' in 1775, that resistance. to tyrants is obedience to God, in this hour of our country's peril I offer my poor services in her defence. If you can assign me to any position, however humble, where I can do any thing for freedom and the right, I will hasten to the post in your command." The writer went out lieutenant in the Concord company attached to the Fifth Regiments. He was afterwards captain in the Thirty-second Regiment, and served through the war. Rev. B. F. De Costa writes, "I hereby tender my services as chaplain for any of the forces now called into service by the State. I should be glad to accompany any regiment to the capital or elsewhere, and cheerfully endure with them the hardships of the campaign." Mr. De Costa was appointed and commissioned chaplain of the Fifth Regiment. A. A. Marsh, of Cincinnati, Ohio, telegraphs, "I wish you would let me know if you can buy ten six-pounder rifled field-pieces ready for use, and at what price, and when we can get them. We want them for use here, for the protec- tion of this city. Telegraph the price." General George HI. Devereux, of Salem, writes, "I earnestly hope that the General Government will go into this contest with the olive branch frankly and cordially displayed in one hand, offering every reasonable opportunity to avoid the dreadful alternative of a civil war with our own countrymen. But, if war must come,
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all sound policy and even humanity requires that it be vigorously sustained, and that we show ourselves capable of maintaining the honor, dignity, and safety of our country." General Devereux had three sons officers in the war, one of whom was brevetted a general.
April 16. - General Nettleton, of Chicopee, writes, "I hereby tender to His Excellency the Governor, and through him to the President, my personal services to any appointed post in the gift of either. I cannot, by reason of age, be admitted to the ranks by enlistment ; yet I am hearty and hale, and not older than my grandsire was when following the lead of Wash- ington." General Nettleton's son raised a company for the Thirtieth Regiment, of which he went out captain, and came home colonel of the regiment.
April 17. - Edward Kinsley, of Cambridge, writes, "The patriotic ladies of Cambridge are making bandages and pre- paring lint for our troops who have been ordered out of the State. A box will be ready to-morrow morning. Please tell the bearer where you will have it sent." Colonel Borden, of Fall River, writes, " The 'Empire State ' will be let at a thousand dol- lars a day ; the 'State of Maine,' for eight hundred." George B. Upton, of Boston, writes that he had made a " contract with the agents of the 'S. R. Spaulding ' to take troops to Fortress Monroe at twelve dollars each. The vessel will be ready in eight hours after notice is received."
April 18. - E. C. Peirce, of Weymouth, writes, "If the services of an active horse and rider as courier are required for any distance, great or small, let me know." Daniel Denny, of Boston, writes, "I have three spacious lofts, No. 142, Fulton Street, quite light and airy, which I freely offer for the use of the military. Being considerably more than forty-five years old, I fear my personal services would not be accepted if offered." Captain Peard, of Milford, writes, " I offer my company, the 'Davis Guards,' all of whom are adopted citizens, for the ser- vice." This company was accepted, and formed part of the Ninth Regiment, of which Captain Peard was commissioned major. He died in the service.
The following letter is from one of the most noble and highly
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
cultivated men whom Massachusetts sent to the war, and who sacrificed his life for the cause : -
MONUMENT SQUARE, CHARLESTOWN, April 19, 1861.
ADJUTANT-GENERAL SCHOULER, - We are at that point where every man who can devote himself to his country's service should come forward. I beg that you would put on file this my application for any position in the medical service of the Commonwealth in which I could be useful. I am aware of the law under which surgeons are ap- pointed, and of course understand that you have no direct control of this matter. But there may be exigencies from deaths, resignations, unusual demands, or unforeseen circumstances, when you may be called upon to advise or suggest. If such a call is made, be pleased to remember this application of your old personal and political friend. I may be allowed to say, should this communication ever be brought up for consideration, that, while I am known mainly in another specialty, I was educated in the New-York hospitals for a surgeon ; and for some years, in a wide field, I was much engaged in that capacity. Inquiry in New Hampshire would show, that there are but few of the greater operations of surgery which I have not performed. I am a little above fifty ; in health so good as not to have been confined to my house a day in the past three years ; and, entirely removed from all cares by easy personal circumstances, of course am ready at the shortest notice for any duty. As this application is for use, not show, may I beg of you, that it may not reach the press, which, in its avidity for para- graphs, might be ready to put me unnecessarily before the public ?
Truly yours, LUTHER V. BELL.
Dr. Bell's offer was accepted. He was appointed surgeon of the Eleventh Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, was commis- sioned June 13, 1861, and immediately entered upon his duties. His family was one of the oldest and most distinguished in New Hampshire ; his father, John Bell, having been Governor of the State and a member of the United-States Senate. Dr. Bell for many years had charge of the McLean Asylum for the Insane, in Somerville, and was at tthe head of his profession in that branch of medical science. His figure was tall and command- ing ; his face was eminently handsome and pleasant. On the 3d of August, 1861, while with his regiment at the front, he was appointed brigade-surgeon by President Lincoln, and was placed on the staff of General Joseph Hooker. About four
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o'clock, on the wintry morning of February 5, under his canvas shelter at Camp Baker, two miles from Budd's Ferry, on the Potomac, Dr. Bell was taken suddenly ill; and about nine o'clock, on the evening of the 11th, he passed peacefully away for ever. We shall have occasion to refer again to this distin- guished person in the next chapter.
April 19. - General John S. Tyler, commanding the " An- cient and Honorable Artillery Company," " tenders, by vote of the corps, their services for coast defence." The Massachusetts Bible Society " offers a supply of Bibles and Testaments for the soldiers."
April 21. - Mrs. Julia R. Scavy, Jamaica Plain, writes, " I am anxious to contribute in some way to the comfort of our brave volunteers. Would twenty flannel shirts be acceptable ? If so, I will have them made and forwarded to you for distribu- tion. Our country, right or wrong."
April 23. - Edward Greenmon, or Greenmast, of Mendon, writes, " Will you accept the service of a Dartmoor prisoner in the war of 1812, and near seven years on board of a British ship-of-war? Impressed at the age of twelve years, when the war was declared, I was most cruelly flogged and threatened to be hung, because I would not fight against my country. I am ready now to fight the traitors of my country, and battle for freedom." Edward S. Waters, of Salem, suggests " the organi- zation of an engineer corps, to repair the bridges between Philadelphia and Washington." George Gregg, of Boston, informs the Adjutant-General, that "certain British sub- jects in Boston and vicinity have formed themselves into a rifle company, and offer their services for duty anywhere within thirty miles of Boston, to be drilled, armed, and clothed at private expense."
April 27. - Colonel Newell A. Thompson, of Boston, re- ports, " Have fulfilled the duty for which I have been detailed, - to remove certain arms and ammunition from the United-States Arsenal at Watertown, to the State Arsenal at Cambridge." Rev. George D. Wilde, of Salem, sends a roll of forty men for " field-hospital corps, to be sent to the front ; and each pledges himself to submit to all the requirements of military life."
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
April 28. - James L. Merrill, of Athol, volunteers him- self and three " of my seven sons, with eight or ten other good, faithful, and temperate men, to go to the front, and act as scouts, to be armed with rifles and side-arms." John Waters, of West Sutton, writes, "I and several citizens of this town, being well acquainted with the use of the rifle, are anxious to form a company of sharpshooters." Captain Rand, First Regiment of Infantry, writes, " At a meeting of my company, held last even- ing, it was unanimously voted to adopt the following as a com- pany name, 'Schouler Volunteers,' with many thanks to you for your numerous kindnesses." This company was Company I, First Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. Captain Rand was killed at Chancellorsville. Captain Peirson, of Byfield, " volunteers his whole command (Company B, First Battalion of Rifles) for the war."
May 1. - Samuel Fowler, of Westfield, writes, "This town has appropriated ten thousand dollars for the equipment and outfit of a company of volunteers, and to drill them until called for. God save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."
Richard HI. Dana, Jr., of Cambridge, writes, -
" The topi I left with you yesterday is the result of fifty years' expe- rience of the British in the East. It is now universally used by the British military in India, China, and Indian Islands. I wore that topi in China, India, and Egypt some six months, including June, July, and August. It is the best thing possible. It gives air between the head and the outer case all round. This is the best safeguard against sunstroke or congestion. It is a mistake to wear any thing thin or light like straw. The desiderata are (1) a thick wall between the head and the sun's rays, and (2) air between the wall and the head. The weight on the head, when adjusted around the side, and not on the top, is of little consequence, as all men experienced in Eastern life and travel will tell you. The rim to this protects the eyes, and back of the head and neck. In the East, the back of the head and back of the neck are considered specially sensitive to the sun. The topi may be made either of felt (as mine is) or of pith. I prefer the felt."
The topi spoken of was a most excellent protection to the head from the heat of the sun, but was never adopted, either by the State or the Federal authorities.
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AGENTS SENT TO WASHINGTON.
May 6. - President Felton, of Harvard University, informs the Adjutant-General that " between three and four hundred students have entered their names for a drill-club ; and between one and two hundred have brought their fathers' certificates, that they consent to the watch. In a day or two, I shall proba- bly be able to furnish you a complete list of both." The " watch " here spoken of was in reference to a guard of students to watch the State Arsenal at Cambridge.
May 10. - Colonel Newell A. Thompson presented " a roll of one hundred past members of the 'Boston City Guards,' who have voluntarily placed themselves under my command, and authorized me to tender their services as a Home Guard."
The foregoing extracts, from letters received by the Adjutant- General in the first days of the war, serve to show in a degree the patriotic spirit of the people. They are selected from a great mass of letters received by him in those early days of the war ; all of which bear more or less on the same subject, and are imbued with the same spirit and determination.
From the time the three months' troops left the State until a call was made for three years' volunteers, May 3, communica- tion with the departments at Washington was dilatory and un- satisfactory ; which caused the Governor to request Ex-Governor Boutwell, Attorney-General Foster, Judge Hoar, and William L. Burt to go forward, and endeavor to keep up a line of com- munication with him. This will explain some of the letters and telegrams given in preceding pages. One great point to be gained was authority from the War Department to garrison and man the forts in Boston Harbor, the defenceless condition of which exposed the city to attack, and caused much uneasiness among the merchants, underwriters, and other citizens of Bos- ton. After the attack upon the Sixth Regiment in Baltimore, on the 19th of April, inquiry was made by the Governor in regard to establishing hospital accommodations for the sick and wounded who may return to the State. The matter was referred to Dr. William J. Dale, who, on the 21st of April, reported, "I have conversed with Mr. Rogers, chairman of the Trustees of the Massachusetts General Hospital, and the institution will be open for soldiers in the service ; and, at short notice,
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
they can put up a large temporary building in the hospital yard for the accommodation of the sick and wounded." This excellent institution, during the whole war, gave all the accom- modation and assistance within its power to the sick and wounded soldiers.
Ex-Governor Boutwell left Boston for Washington on the 23d of April. In New York, he had an interview with Major- General Wool, commanding the Department of the East, and with Vice-President Hamlin, whom he met there. On the 24th he wrote to the Governor, " General Wool and Vice-President IIamlin are in favor of your taking the responsibility of sending two regiments to take charge of the forts, and to furnish and arm three vessels for the protection of the coast. You can exercise the power, under the circumstances, better than any one else." On the same day on which this letter was written, an order passed the Executive Council, that the Governor send a force of militia to garrison the forts, and one company to each of the arsenals at Cambridge and Watertown, the whole not to exceed seven hundred men ; the Adjutant-General to furnish subsistence, and the Quartermaster-General transportation. On the same day, Mr. Boutwell telegraphed from New York to Governor Andrew, "Send without delay a steamer, with pro- visions, for General Butler's command at Annapolis. She must be armed. Mr. Burt returns by eleven-o'clock train with orders from General Wool."
On the 25th of April, Mr. Crowninshield, who was in New York to take the steamer for Europe to purchase arms, writes to the Governor, " I am detained till this forenoon for despatches from the British minister. I learn that he has telegraphed to Ilalifax for a fleet to go to Washington to protect him and save the archives of their Government. I believe it."
Before leaving New York, Mr. Boutwell succeeded in obtain- ing an order from General Wool upon the ordnance officer at the United-States Arsenal at Watertown, for four thousand stand of arms. These arms were what were known as the " Windsor rifle," and had the sword bayonet. Upon the receipt of Mr. Boutwell's telegram to forward provisions to General Butler at Annapolis by armed steamer, Governor Andrew consulted John
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LETTER OF MR. FORBES TO THE GOVERNOR.
M. Forbes, and put the matter in his charge. On the after- noon of the same day, he addressed the following letter to Governor Andrew : -
BOSTON, April 25, 1861.
To His Excellency Governor ANDREW.
SIR, - Having reference to the letter of Hon. George S. Boutwell, I beg leave to say, that, after you showed it me this morning, I found that the only really suitable vessel in port for the purpose indicated was on the point of being sold for $75,000. Just before the war, her owners asked $70,000 for her, which I thought a little too high. Under the cirenmstanees, however, she seemed to me cheap; and I took the responsibility of buying her, intending to offer her to you or to the General Government.
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