USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts in the Civil War > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
The only notice which Governor Andrew took of General Butler's letter was in a letter addressed to him, dated May 21, 1861, from which we extract as follows : -
" Your note of the 16th instant is before me. While I have no objection to your publishing your views on military, political, and moral questions in the character of a private controversialist (for of that it is your own supreme right to judge as a gentleman and a citi- zen), yet I cannot engage in the controversy, however agreeable to me it might be to do so under other circumstances, since a great and noble cause ought not to be disturbed or imperilled by personal complica- tions. And therefore, although your paper, by its discussions of questions not logically arising out of that to which it is in professed reply, has the tendency to mislead the reader injuriously to myself, yet I cannot persuade my own judgment that I should do otherwise than wrong, considering our mutual and public relations, were I to join
161
END OF RECORD OF THREE MONTHIS' TROOPS.
issue, and go to trial before the popular tribunal of newspaper readers. On this ground you will excuse my silence and non-appearance in the arena of debate."
It is proper to state, that the offer made by General Butler to Governor Hicks was not known to the colonel of the Eighth Regiment, who informed the writer that he was not aware that such an offer was ever made, or that a correspondence had passed between General Butler and Governor Andrew on such a subject.
We now close the record of the three months' troops. A call for volunteers to serve for three years or the war had been issued by the President. An extra session of the Legis- lature had been called by the Governor of Massachusetts. The war began to assume a giant form, that increased in stature and in power, and cast its shadow to the ends of the civilized world.
11
:
CHAPTER IV.
Companies sent to the Forts - Officers appointed to command - Militia Bat- talions - First Call for Three Years' Troops - Delays at Washington - Let- ter to Montgomery Blair - Letter of Secretary of War - General Order No. 12- Six Regiments allowed - Governor anxious to send more - Letter of General Walbridge - Governor to Senator Wilson - More Delay - Extra Session of the Legislature - Address of the Governor - Proceedings of the Legislature - War Measures adopted - Debate on Colored Troops - Bills passed by the Legislature - Sinking Fund - Government Securities - Pay of Troops - Established Camps - Seven Millions of Dollars - State Aid to Families of Soldiers - The Six Regiments of Three Years' Men - Ten more Regiments called for - Their Organization - Additional Staff Officers ap- pointed - Surgeon-General's Department organized - Letter of Governor to Dr. Lyman - Board of Medical Examiners - Promotion of the Surgeon- General - Letter of the Governor to Colonel Frank E. Howe - New-England Rooms, New York - Letter of Colonel Lee to Charles R. Lowell - Letters of the Governor to Different Parties - Circular of the Secretary of War - Colonel Browne to Colonel Howe - Abstract of Correspondence - Colonel Sargent to General Seott - Cobb's Battery - Letter to Colonel Webster - Letter to the President - Irish Regiments - Flag-raising at Bunker-Hill Monument - Speech of Governor Andrew - Speech of Colonel Webster - Interesting Ceremonies - Conclusion.
THE defenceless condition of the forts in Boston Harbor, in the early part of the war, was a cause of much labor and anxiety to the Governor, and to the merchants and under- writers, whose vessels at anchor in the harbor, or lying at the wharves, were greatly exposed. Frequent representations of the insecure condition of Boston were made by the Governor to the Secretary of War, which, for a considerable time, failed to elicit attention. To allay, in some degree, the gen- eral feeling of insecurity, the Governor, on the 24th of April, ordered the Fourth Battalion of Infantry, under com- mand of Major Thomas G. Stevenson, to garrison Fort Inde- pendence, where it remained until the 21st of May. On the 29th of April, the Second Battalion of Infantry, under com-
163
TROOPS SENT TO THE FORTS.
mand of Major Ralph W. Newton, was ordered to garrison Fort Warren, where it remained until the 1st of June.
Major-General Samuel Andrews, of Boston, was ordered to take command of both forts, which position he held from the Ist of May until the 1st of June, when he was relieved. The command of Fort Warren was given to Brigadier-General Ebenezer W. Peirce, on the 13th of May. He was relieved on the 27th of the same month, having been appointed to take command of the Massachusetts troops at the front, and to fill the vacancy occasioned by the promotion of General Butler to be a major-general of volunteers. General Peirce was suc- ceeded in command of Fort Warren by Brigadier-General Joseph Andrews, who remained on duty there, and at Camp Cameron, in Cambridge, until Nov. 18, 1861.
On the 21st of May, the Fourth Battalion of Rifles, Major Samuel II. Leonard, was ordered to Fort Independence, where it was recruited to a regiment of three years' volunteers, afterwards known as the Thirteenth Regiment. A camp was also formed on Long Island, in Boston Harbor, to which a number of companies, composed of men of Irish birth, were ordered. These companies were to form two regiments of three years' men, to be known as the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Regiments. They were afterwards consolidated into one, and known as the Ninth. Of this camp, on the 11th of May, Brigadier-General William W. Bullock was placed in com- mand. He remained on duty until the 12th of June, when the Ninth was ordered to Washington, and the camp was broken up.
The battalions first ordered to the forts performed much labor in removing rubbish, old shanties, piles of bricks, and lumber ; filling up excavations ; erecting chimneys and cook-houses ; ar- ranging hospital accommodations, and preparing them, as well as the limited means would permit, for defensive operations. These labors have never been properly acknowledged by the General Government; on the contrary, a captious and unjust report of the condition of the forts was made, in June, 1861, by an army officer, a copy of which was sent to Governor An- drew by Major-General Wool. This report sets forth that the
164
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
forts had been greatly injured by the two battalions ; that nails had been driven into the walls of the casemates, drains ob- structed, filth accumulated, and chimneys so erected that large guns could not be properly manned and worked. That these statements had a slight foundation upon which to rest, we shall not deny ; but if the officer had made a survey of the forts, and especially of Fort Warren, before the two battalions had taken possession, his report would have been of a different tenor, and he would have accorded to the soldiers praise instead of censure. They certainly deserved it : they saved the Govern- ment time and money in making the forts habitable, and by put- ting them in a condition to defend the harbor, and maintain garrisons.
The Governor, on the 25th of April, appointed the three major-generals of militia, - Messrs. Sutton, Morse, and Andrews, - with a portion of their respective staff, an examin- ing board to pass upon the qualification of persons elected officers of new companies. This board remained in service until the 24th of May, when it was relieved from further duties. The number of persons examined by the board was six hundred and forty-one men, thirty-nine of whom were rejected.
On the 2d of May, Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. Holmes, of the First Company of Cadets, was placed in command of a guard at the State Arsenal at Cambridge, and the powder magazine at Captain's Island. The guard was composed of members of the cadets and students of Harvard University, who volunteered their services. They were relieved on the 30th of May, and received the thanks of the Governor.
We have already stated, that the President issued a proclama- tion, on the 3d of May, for volunteers to serve for three years, or during the war. On the 4th of May, Secretary Cameron issued General Order No. 15, setting forth the number of regiments to be raised, and the manner in which they were to be organ- ized. There were to be thirty-nine regiments of infantry, and one regiment of cavalry. Nothing was said or intimated in the Secretary's order about the proportion of men or regiments which each State was to furnish. At this time, there were, in Massachusetts, upwards of ten thousand men organized into
165
DELAY IN WASHINGTON.
companies. They had enlisted as militia : they now pressed forward to the State authorities to be accepted and organized as volunteers for three years. The Governor could not accept them ; could not muster them ; could not encourage them, fur- ther than with kind words, until answers were received from Washington to messages which he had sent, asking that they might be accepted. Days passed on : no requisitions came. The companies held to their organizations ; paraded the streets, partly for drill, but chiefly to pass the time, until information should come from Washington, that their services would be ac- cepted. No orders came ; delay and disappointment marked the hour ; men could not understand why the Government would not accept their services. They pressed daily to the State Hlouse ; the Governor wrote and telegraphed again and again to Washington, beseeching the Secretary to accept the services of men anxious to serve their country. No answer came for more than a fortnight after the President's call had been issued. A letter from Secretary Cameron was received by Governor Andrew, on the 22d of May. As a favor, Massachusetts was allowed to furnish six regiments of three years' men.
From among a number of letters written at this time, and upon this subject, we select the following, to Montgomery Blair, Postmaster-General : -
Hon. MONTGOMERY BLAIR, Washington, D.C.
May 6, 1861.
MY DEAR FRIEND, - Your last letter, in which was mentioned a possible plan for retaking Sumter, reached me in the midst of cares and toil, which have left no opportunity to pursue the subject.
I do not know what may be your opinion, or that of the Administra- tion, as to operating at that point.
The whole matter has now assumed the broadest proportions, and we in Massachusetts are only anxious to be up to our whole duty ; and it is my strong desire to receive from you every friendly and prompt- ing hint, and to endeavor to follow it. At the same time, I wish your aid in affording Massachusetts those full opportunities which become her services and her character.
I have not the honor of personally knowing the Secretary of War. nor do I know how far he may share your sympathy with Massachu- setts in her present attitude. At all events, I cannot address him on
166
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
paper in the earnest and familiar manner I wish, and which, indeed, I might adopt if face to face.
Massachusetts, first in the field, hurrying thither but half prepared, eager, at any risk, to save the capital, and, if possible, clinch by a blow the national resolve, and, by some gallant act or exhibition, revive the flagging pulsations of the public heart, by reason of her promptness of action ; of the blood which, flowing from her veins, has once more ren- dered the 19th of April an historic day ; by the good conduct of her Old Colony Regiment, in the affair of Norfolk Navy Yard ; of Butler's whole command at Annapolis, in holding the post, saving "Old Iron- sides," cutting out a ship-of-war at Baltimore, rebuilding railroads, and reconstructing locomotives, - may possibly be looked upon, even though useful to the country, as too forward in earning renown.
But, my dear Blair, I can trust you, that you both believe and know of Massachusetts, that we fight from no love of vulgar glory, no desire to conquer what is not ours, but that from the quiet industry of their peaceful callings, all unused to arms, and with no thirst for war, onr men have drawn their swords, simply because their country called, and justice, patriotism, and honor summoned them to the field.
Trusting that no shameful concessions of the Government will ever purchase the cherished blessings of peace for a price incompatible with the undoubted, eternal, and confirmed establishment and restoration of natural rights, and the cause of liberty and democratic constitutional government, we relent at no sacrifice appropriate to a patriotic and de- voted people. In that spirit we began, and are continuing to prepare soldiers and material.
We are enlisted for the war; we have put ourselves, or rather keep ourselves, where we belong, under the national lead of the President and his Cabinet, under the folds of the flag our fathers helped to raise. But we wish to go onward, not to stand still.
" From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, let the bow of Jonathan turn not baek, and his shield return not empty."
I pray you now, as my personal friend, who may speak for me and my people to the President and in the Cabinet, - I pray you claim and secure to us the right, as ours was the first military force to encounter the shock of arms (namely, the Sixth Regiment of the Massachusetts line), -the right to furnish six regiments mn number, and to march with the advancing column over the very streets where our brothers poured out their blood. The number of our citizens ready to go, the strength of their convictions, their willingness to support the Government, the variety of useful capacity which characterizes our people, certainly leave them behind no others. Moreover, we believe, since we have a war
167
LETTER TO SECRETARY CAMERON.
on hand, in making it a short one, by making it an active one ; and, as we have it to carry on, we desire to " pay attention to it," finish it up, suppress speedily the rebellion, and then restore the waste places of Zion.
Tell Mr. Chase I have begun inquiries and efforts, in the hope that Massachusetts may take five millions of his loan. It ought all to be taken at par, on six per cent interest.
I am, ever faithfully, JOHN A. ANDREW.
P.S. - I understand that matters at our navy yard, in Charlestown, are not as expeditious as they would be if some old incumbents were away. The blacksmith is especially complained about. We do need men in sympathy with the great work; and I hope Mr. Welles will refer to Mr. Greene, of the Ordnance Department, and Mr. Roulstone, of the same carriage department, and see if, with their suggestions, he cannot inspire some new life, with new blood, into certain branches of the work.
The letter of Secretary Cameron, permitting Massachusetts to furnish six regiments of volunteers, as before stated, was not received until the 22d of May. It was not calculated to inspire either spirit or enthusiasm. We copy it entire.
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, May 15, 1861. Governor JOHN A. ANDREW, Boston.
DEAR SIR, - I have the honor to forward you enclosed herewith the plan of organization of the volunteers for three years, or during the war. Sir regiments are assigned to your State ; making, in addition to the two regiments of three months' militia already called for, eight regiments.
It is important to reduce rather than to enlarge this number, and in ne event to exceed it. Let me earnestly recommend to you, therefore, to call for no more than eight regiments, of which six only are to serve for three years, or during the war, and, if more are already called for, to reduce the number by discharge. In making up the quota of three years' men, you will please act in concert with the mustering officers sent to your State, who will represent this Department.
I am, sir, respectfully,
SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War.
On the receipt of this letter, General Order No. 12 was issued by direction of the Governor, which gave notice that the quota of Massachusetts was " fixed at six regiments of infantry, to be
168
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
organized as prescribed in General Order No. 15 from the War Department." The plan for the organization of the regi- ments was substantially the same as in the regular army. Each regiment was to be composed of ten companies, each company to have a captain, two lieutenants, and ninety-eight enlisted men. The field and staff officers of a regiment were to consist of a colonel, lieutenant-colonel, major, adjutant, quartermaster, as- sistant-surgeon, sergeant-major, quartermaster-sergeant, com- missary-sergeant, hospital-steward, two principal musicians, and a band of twenty-four musicians. This system of regi- mental organization was observed during the whole of the war, with the exception that an additional surgeon was allowed, and regimental bands were discontinued.
The six regiments selected to complete the requisition of the Secretary of War, were, the First, which was ordered to " Camp Cameron," in North Cambridge. The regiment left the State on the 15th of June, for Washington, and marched through Balti- more on the 17th, the anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill. It was the first three years' regiment that reached Washington in the war. The Second, which was recruited at "Camp Andrew," in West Roxbury, left the State on the 8th of July, for the front. The Seventh, which was recruited at "Camp Old Colony,"'in Taunton, left for Washington on the 11th of July. The Ninth, which was recruited and organized on Long Island, in Boston Harbor, left the State in the steamer " Ben De Ford," on the 24th of June, for Washington. The Tenth, which was recruited in the western part of the State, remained in camp near Springfield, until completely organized. Before leaving the State, the regiment was ordered to Medford, and was there until the 25th of July, when it was sent forward to Washington. The Eleventh, which was quartered in Fort Warren, left for Washington on the 24th of June. These six regiments were organized, armed, equipped, clothed, and sent forward, within four weeks after orders were received that they would be accepted. Several others were in a state of formation, some of them in camp with full complement of men, and could have been sent to the front with little delay if the Secretary had given his consent. This could not be obtained. His letter
169
MORE REGIMENTS ACCEPTED.
of the 15th of May cast no ray of hope that more regiments would be accepted from Massachusetts : on the contrary, " it was important to reduce rather than to enlarge this number." The Governor, nevertheless, continued to urge upon the President and the Secretary the acceptance of more regiments.
Among the men who sympathized with the Governor in his desire to have more troops accepted was General Hiram Walbridge, of New York. He was earnest to have the war carried on with vigor. At the request of Governor Andrew, General Walbridge brought the subject to the attention of the President. His efforts were successful. He wrote to the Governor from Washington, June 17th, -
" I am gratified to enclose you herewith a copy of a letter addressed to me by the Secretary of War, with the sanction of the President, in response to my application in favor of taking additional forces, author- izing me to notify you that ten additional regiments will be called from the loyal and patriotic State of Massachusetts, in accordance with the terms stated in your letter to me of the 12th inst."
This permission to send forward ten more regiments gave great satisfaction, and relieved the Governor from much anxiety and care, with which, at this particular period, he was sorely pressed.
Immediate orders were issued to organize and send forward the regiments. The correspondence of the Executive Depart- ment reveals some of the embarrassing questions which pressed upon it at this time. On the 8th of May, Senator Wilson who was in Washington, wrote to the Governor, that " the con- dition of the uniforms and equipments of the Massachusetts three months' troops was bad, as compared with those of other States." On the receipt of this letter, the Governor wrote to the Senator a long and able reply. The letter is dated May 10th ; and in it he said, "he has sent and is sending forward large supplies both of provisions and of clothing; but as he is not gifted by the Lord with omniscience, and as in no single instance has he received any report from any of the regiments in and about Washington of what they need, he is sorry he is unable to satisfy everybody, and still more sorry that Massa- chusetts troops should be permitted to suffer. Although a month
170
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
has now elapsed since they left the State, the muster-rolls of the Eighth Regiment are the only ones which have as yet been received." He then recites the facts concerning the blankets which were put on board of the transport at New York for the Fifth Regiment, which were stowed away so that the regi- ment could not get them, and were finally taken at Annapolis, and distributed among Pennsylvania troops.
Hle also speaks of the neglect of officers to report to him what they need fully and frequently, in order that he may know what to furnish. In no single instance had authentic informa- tion been received of any needs, without measures being taken instantaneously to supply them. "We have not less than fifty thousand dollars' worth of under-garments and other clothing now on hand. We are now having manufactured no less than six thousand summer uniforms ; and we have spent not less than fifty thousand dollars in merely supplying subsistence to our troops on their way and in the field." IIe had, when the call was first made for troops, informed the Secretary of War that the troops needed some articles of equipment, who replied in substance, "No matter : only hurry them forward, we will look out for all that, and will remedy all such needs when they are arrived here : it is essential to us that they should be sent at once." Notwithstanding, from that day to this he had not been advised in any manner what supplies he has furnished or expects to furnish. Notwithstanding repeated requests, no United-States officer had been detailed here to muster troops or to advise with the Governor concerning military affairs, as has been done in the instance of New York and other States. Not- withstanding he had frequently called attention to the defence- less state of Boston Harbor, it remains undefended by a single gun. His requests meet either with silence, or with positive refusal. IIe is even denied by the Secretary of War permission to clean Fort Warren at the expense of the State, so as to render it healthy and comfortable for the volunteer troops to be placed there. The Governor suggests "that the influence of all the agents of Massachusetts at Washington is needed, and may be profitably exerted to extort from the national Govern- ment, if it cannot be done by persuasion, at least some approach
171
MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE.
to the courtesy and attention which have evidently been extended to other States in these respects, and which is pre-eminently due to Massachusetts, by reason of her constant loyalty, her prompt movement to the defence of the nation, her children dead at Baltimore, and the sacrifice of money and of men which she expects, and is willing, to make for the common cause."
The delay at Washington in calling for more troops, and the apparent neglect with which the Governor's letters were treated, did not change his purpose nor daunt his spirit. He never doubted that a change of policy would soon be adopted at Washington, and that the war would be carried on with might and vigor. Foreseeing that it would be a long war, he deter- mined that the State should be placed in a condition to sustain her part with all the resources of men and money at her com- mand. Accordingly, he called an extra session of the Legislature, which met at the State House on Tuesday, the 14th of May.
Mr. Claflin, in calling the Senate to order, referred to the ex- traordinary events which had transpired since the adjournment, and urged upon the Senate the importance of meeting them in a proper spirit. "To this end, let us act our part faithfully, that those who placed in our hands these great trusts may not be disappointed, and we, in coming time, may have the proud con- sciousness of having done our duty."
Speaker Goodwin congratulated the House that the Old Bay State had so nobly sustained her heroic fame. He referred to the absence of some of the members who were with their regiments in the field, and concluded by saying, "I know you will all join in a most ardent aspiration, that an honorable peace may soon be won by our army, and the arts of peace once more become the engrossing topic of the Legislature of the Commonwealth."
The two branches met in convention, and Governor Andrew delivered his address. :
" The occasion," he said, " demands action, and it shall not be delayed by speech ; nor do either the people or their representatives need or require to be stimulated by appeals or convinced by arguments. A grand era has dawned, inaugurated by the present great and critical exigency of the nation, through which it will providentially and
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.