USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts in the Civil War > Part 23
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" Hopeful and confident, in these eventful days, that all will yet be well with the republic, I have the honor to remain your obedient ser- vant."
When we come to speak of recruiting in Massachusetts by General Butler, which began about this time, we shall find that the confident hope expressed by the Governor, that the State authorities should not again be interfered with, proved wholly delusive.
On the 26th of August, the Adjutant-General wrote to Mr. Seward, Secretary of State, that he had reliable information, that five schooners had arrived at Halifax, N.S., - having run the blockade in North Carolina, -and had landed four- teen hundred barrels of turpentine. They were loading again with merchandise, intending to run the blockade on their return home. The names of the vessels were given, and two of them were captured on their return voyage. The following telegram, dated Sept. 3, we copy from the Governor's files : Senator Wil son to Mr. Seward, -"Is your consul at Halifax thoroughly loyal? Four vessels from North Carolina have recently arrived there, loaded with naval stores, and are now loading with con- traband goods." Same day, Governor writes to General Lan- der, " Will you please look out for the welfare of Captain Sanders's company of sharpshooters, which will this day march almost from under the shadow of your own roof-tree, in the county of Essex?" This splendid company was recruited at "Camp Schouler," Lynnfield. Captain Sanders was killed in battle, Sept. 17, 1862.
Sept. 10. - Governor writes to the selectinen of Wellfleet, acknowledging the receipt of five hundred dollars, raised in that town for the benefit of the families of soldiers.
Sept. 11. - Governor writes to Major-General John A. Dix, commanding at Baltimore, "Pray do not execute private Stephen C. Scott, of our Sixteenth Regiment, until you have given his friends an opportunity to be heard ; for I have every
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
reason to believe the man has been for a long time crazy. Besides, Colonel Wyman promised his friends the case should be delayed until all the evidence on either side can be collected." The man was crazy. He was sentenced to be hung for killing a comrade : he was pardoned and discharged from the service.
It was represented to the Governor by Patrick Donahoe, Esq., of Boston, that the religious opinions of some of the Catholic soldiers in one of our regiments had been interfered with by the officers. The Governor wrote to Mr. Donahoe, saying, "I am utterly surprised by the intimation you make. I will cause our Adjutant-General to pursue a strict inquiry into this subject immediately." After expressing his views of religious toleration, he says, "Those who serve God according to their convictions, are not likely to fear man, or offend against the rights of others."
A paragraph appeared in the Boston Morning Post, reflect- ing upon a part of the Governor's personal staff, which caused him to address a private letter, on the 16th of September, to the editors of that paper, showing how unjust it was, and how laborious and useful their gratuitous services had been.
"In all these," he said, "my staff help me, -not deciding nor establishing any thing, but investigating, arranging, reporting and sometimes executing, - always modest, loyal, disinterested, respectful to others, and most capable and efficient.
" And the least duty I can do is to ask that they may not be re- warded by sarcasm or unkind remark.
" Whatever is rightly done may be credited to any one ; but whatever is deemed worthy of blame, charge it to me, not to them. I am in truth responsible, acting often against their opinions and advice, and feeling at all times perfectly willing to meet whatever may fall thereon, - conscious of no merit of any sort, save a good intent. Excuse this note, -one I should not have written, but to gentlemen of urbanity who will appreciate the feelings of a gentleman in others."
Sept. 17. - The Governor wrote to the Secretary of War, calling his attention to the delay on his request for the transfer of three Massachusetts companies in the New-York Mozart Regiment, to be sent to Fortress Monroe, to be attached
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WAR RELICS. - REBEL EMISSARY.
to the seven Massachusetts companies there, and the ten to form a regiment. It was a matter that ought to have been im- mediately attended to ; for while the companies remained in the New-York regiment, and were credited to the quota of that State, the families of the men were deprived of the benefits of the Massachusetts State-aid law, which would amount to them, in the aggregate, to one hundred and forty-four thousand dollars a year. The subject was presented with much force by the Governor ; but the transfer never was made, and the families were deprived of the State-aid until the following winter, when the Legislature amended the State-aid act, so as to include them in its provisions.
Sept. 18. - The Governor wrote to General Stetson, of the Astor House, acknowledging the receipt of fragments of the flag taken by Colonel Ellsworth, at Alexandria, and of that which waved over Fort Pickens, while commanded by Lieu- tenant Slemmer, U.S.A. These were placed among the military relics and trophies, side by side with mementoes of Lexington, Bunker Hill, and Bennington.
Sept. 19. - The Governor telegraphed to Governor Den- nison, of Ohio, "Five thousand infantry equipments sent for- ward to day, as directed."
Sept. 20. - He received the following telegram from Joshua R. Giddings, American Consul, at .Montreal, Canada.
" John Bateman, a major in the rebel army, bearer of despatches to Europe, and now returning, will be at the Revere House this evening. Ile is five feet nine or ten inches in height, dark complexion, dark hair, wears a moustache, and has the evidence of guilt on his person. I have also telegraphed Mr. Seward."
This was placed in the hands of John S. Keyes, United-States Marshal for this district. Major Bateman, however, did not come to Boston, but went by another route to Nova Scotia, and sailed in the steamer from . Halifax to England. Marshal Keyes writes, " This was only one of the thousand instances of Governor Andrew's active efforts in the good cause."
Sept. 21. - The Governor telegraphs to Secretary Seward, "Large quantities of shoes are shipped from this city to
.
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
Louisville, Ky., and Baltimore, Md., intended for the rebel army. Cannot a stop be put to it?"
Sept. 28. - The Governor writes to Senator Wilson to " recommend James Magner as a first lieutenant in the Twenty- second Regiment, that he might be commissioned, and detailed on the staff of General Sherman." This was not done; but Magner was afterwards commissioned a lieutenant in the Twenty-eighth Regiment, and was killed in battle, May 18, 1864.
Oct. 1. - The Governor writes to Colonel Frank E. Howe. New York, "What has become of General Sherman? I have not heard from him for some days. Does he wish Wilson's regiment to go with him? The regiment is expected to leave on the 3d." On the same day, he writes to General Scott, -
" It is my desire that the regiment under Colonel Wilson shall form a part of the force of General Sherman, but I am not advised whether the battery attached to the regiment is desired for that especial service ; and, as I have no positive recent information of the present location of General Sherman's camp, I await orders from you.
"There seems to be no diminution of the zeal or the patriotism of the people of Massachusetts ; and I am happy in being able to report to you that all our regiments are in a fair way to be speedily filled to the maximum standard."
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Oct. 3. - The Governor telegraphs to the proprietors of the Stevens House, New York, " Is General Sherman in New York? if so, ask him if he wants the Massachusetts battery that will arrive there to-morrow."
Oct. 7. - The Governor issues another address to the people of Massachusetts, urging them to assist, with all their power, recruiting for our regiments in the Commonwealth, and asking the citizens to forward to Boston, without delay, such blankets and underclothing, for our soldiers at the seat of war, as their means will admit of. Quartermaster-General Reed also addressed a letter to the Presidents of the Massachusetts railroads, inquiring if they would pass over their several roads without charge, during the next two weeks, such contributions as might be received. An immense quantity of blankets and underclothing
233
BATTLE OF BALL'S BLUFF.
was received in response to the call, and forwarded without delay to the front.
The Governor telegraphs to the Secretary of War, "Shall Wilson's regiment go to Old Point Comfort by sea from New York, as General Sherman requests by telegram just received ?"
The same day, he telegraphs to General Scott, " A sufficient guard shall be placed at Fort Warren at any moment we are directed. If a force specially organized shall not be ready at that time, the Cadets, who constitute the Governor's body- guard, will act in the mean while."
The same day, he telegraphs to General Sherman, at New York, " Wilson's regiment starts to-morrow for Washington. He is directed to see you in New York, and take such other orders as may be given."
A sworn statement having been forwarded to the Governor, making serions charges against the quartermaster of the Fifteenthı Regiment, the Governor sent it to Colonel Devens, with direc- tions to make an investigation of the charges. In the letter, he says, "I am determined that no dishonest officer shall hold a commission for any length of time, after the full proof is fur- nished to me which establishes his guilt ; and I feel quite sure, that, in this view of my official duties, I shall have your hearty support and co-operation." The charges were not sustained.
The Governor, at this time, visited Washington, where he had gone to arrange about the payment of Massachusetts claims, and did not return until the twenty-second day of October. He was successful in making arrangements for payment.
Oct. 23. - The Governor writes to Hon. David Sears, of Boston, thanking him for his offer to place the large hall in Liberty-tree Block at the disposal of the Executive, as a place of deposit for articles for the soldiers.
The battle of Ball's Bluff was fought Oct. 21. The Fif- teenth and Twentieth Massachusetts Regiments were engaged in it. They behaved with great gallantry, and suffered severely, especially the Twentieth. On the 25th, Lieutenant-Colonel Pal- frey telegraphed, "Colonel Lee, Major Revere, Adjutant Peir- son, Dr. Revere, and Lieutenant Perry, prisoners ; Lieutenants
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
Babo and Wesselhoft, probably drowned ; Lieutenant S. W. Putnam, killed ; Captains Drcher, Schinitt, Putnam, Lieuten- ants Lowell and Holmes, wounded, - not fatally. All other officers safe, including myself. Captains Dreher and Schmitt, badly wounded, - probably not fatally. Captain Putnam's right arm gone, - doing well. Lowell and Holmes doing very well."
This disastrous battle carried grief into many of our Massa- chusetts families, and depressed the buoyant and patriotic spirit of our people for a time. Its effect upon the country was also unfavorable. Nothing had occurred, since the battle of Bull Run, in July, which so disappointed the expectations and saddened the hearts of loyal people. A distrust was felt of the loyalty and military capacity of some of the high army officers. In many quarters, the Administration was blamed for our ill luck, and want of success. It was at this trying hour that the Governor wrote this splendid letter : -
BOSTON, Oct. 30, 1861.
HON. J. D. ANDREWS, Washington, D.C.
MY DEAR SIR, - I trust you will attribute my non-reply to your letters before this moment to the pressure of employment, and not to inadvertence or neglect. .
I fear and feel sometimes in the spirit of your own state of mind, as given in your correspondence ; but still I prefer not to lose faith in any one, much less in those in whom I have heartily confided, and to whom belongs the wielding of the national power. I see great proofs of en- ergy and of skill. I also see tokens of slowness, both of sight and of insight. States falter, which should be firm. Counsels cross each other, which should combine, and bear up together.
O God! for a Cameronian battle-cry ; for a grand, inspiring, electric shout, coming from the high priests themselves, from the very Jerusa- lem of our cause ! I wait to hear it, and believe it will yet burst forth, and ring in all our ears. This people must be welded together with the fire itself, both of the spirit and the flesh. They must turn their backs upon the possibility of compromise; devote themselves to the labor and pains of this grand conflict of Western civilization ; combine heartily in the industries, economies, and enterprises of public and social material life, and in the devoted and daring efforts of war. Every drop of blood shed by our braves will be avenged, not by the cruelty of sav- age warriors, but by the stern resolve of Christians, patriots, and phi-
235
CAPTAIN SCHIMITT, OF THE TWENTIETH.
lanthropists, who soon will understand the barbarism of our foes, and will know what price to ask for the lives of those who fall.
Ilow many of our noblest and bravest shall give their blood for the ransom of a subject race, the redemption of their country's peace, and the final security of her honor and integrity ?
Yours always, J. A. ANDREW.
Captain Schmitt, who is mentioned as having been wounded, was an instructor at Harvard College. We well remember the day he came to the Adjutant-General's office, accompanied by two young gentlemen, - Mr. Putnam and Mr. Lowell, one of whom was killed at Ball's Bluff, and the other wounded, - for leave to raise a company for the Twentieth Regiment. Leave was granted, the company was raised, and the three gen- tlemen were commissioned officers of it. Putnam and Lowell were cousins, and belonged to distinguished families. Lieuten- ant Putnam, we thought then, and think now, was, in style, manner, and features, a youth of rare beauty. The writer little thought then, that, in a few short months, he would at- tend his funeral ceremonies, which were performed in the old church on Cambridge Street, of which his grandfather, Dr. Charles Lowell, had been the pastor for half a century. But the paths of glory lead but to the grave. As an evidence among the thousand which might be given of Governor Andrew's kind regard for the soldiers and' their relatives, we copy the following letter, written to the father of Captain Schmitt, while the son was lying wounded in hospital, near the banks of the Potomac : -
Oct. 29, 1861. To Mr. MICHAEL SCHMITT, teacher at Versback, near Würzburg, Bavaria.
MY DEAR SIR, - The Twentieth Regiment of Massachusetts Vol- unteers, in which your son is a captain, formed part of a detachment of Federal troops, which, on the 21st inst., crossed the Potomac, some thirty miles above Washington, and had an engagement with the enemy. The latter, being far superior in numbers, and having a more favorable position, compelled our troops to retreat, after they had fought with a bravery unsurpassed by that of the best troops of either hemisphere. Your son was severely, but not mortally, wounded; and from one of my aides-de-camp, whom I have sent to the spot to see that no duty or care is neglected towards the wounded of our regiments, I re-
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
ceived, last Sunday, a despatch, stating that your son, with some of his wounded fellow-officers, is cheerful, and doing well, and is expected soon to recover.
While I take occasion to communicate to you this afflicting informa- tion, I, at the same time, have pleasure in congratulating you upon the bravery of your son, which has enrolled his name upon the list of American heroes.
I remain truly your friend, JOHN A. ANDREW, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Oct. 31.
The news received concerning the condition of your son, up to this day, continues to be equally favorable to his sure recovery.
J. A. A.
Nov. 5. - The Governor writes to A. H. Bullock, at Worces- ter, forwarding to him a check from A. D. and J. G. Smith & Co., Providence, R.I., for one hundred dollars, payable to his order ; fifty dollars to be expended for the soldiers of the Fifteenth, and fifty dollars for the soldiers of the Twentieth Regiment, - the two which had been engaged in the battle of Ball's Bluff.
Nov. 6. - The Governor writes to Surgeon Galloupe, of the Seventeenth Regiment, acknowledging the receipt of one of Ross Winans's pikes, made by him at Baltimore for the rebels, and says, " It will find a place ainong the other souvenirs of the war in Massachusetts. At present, it finds a place over the portrait in the Council Chamber of Rev. Mr. Higginson, one of the earliest clergymen of Salem, whose ghost must be astonished at the strange incongruity." On the same day, he writes to Colonel Palfrey, of the Twentieth, " Please write to me at once the facts concerning the young man now under arrest for sleeping on his post, as you understand them. I believe that he has always been subject to turns of fainting, and losing his consciousness, when suffering from fatigue, excite- ment, and exposure. Please see that he suffers no harm, until I can procure and forward the evidence."
No one in the Massachusetts regiments was too high or too humble to elude the vigilance, the watchful care and sympa- thy, of Governor Andrew. This was plainly visible throughout
237
SCHIEME TO INVADE TEXAS.
his entire official life. On the 25th of November, he wrote to the President of the United States, recalling to his mind an interview he had with him, when in Washington a few weeks before, in which he had advocated the policy of an exchange of prisoners. No action having been taken by the Government on the question, he wrote about it to the President. He was con- fident of the justice and expediency of making an exchange : it would be both convenient and humane. The letter concludes, "I earnestly hope that immediate measures may be taken to effect exchanges, and that the hearts of the people may not be siekened by hope deferred."
About this time, a private conference was held in this city, by some of our most practical, experienced, and influential business men, favoring an armed expedition to Texas. The Governor entered warmly into the scheme, and, on the 27th of November, wrote to Captain G. V. Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, calling his attention to the subject, and drawing an outline of the objects to be gained. A demonstration was to be made on the coast of Texas. The force, when landed, was to proclaim martial law, and, when the proper time ar- rived, to free all the slaves, "compensating loyal owners if necessary." The results would be, first, we flank the entire rebellion ; second, we open a way for cotton ; third, we cut off future annexations in the interests of rebels, and demon- strate to foreign nations that this war is to stop the spread of slavery ; fourth, it would prevent loyal men from leaving Texas, and would encourage foreign emigration, and would demonstrate that cotton can be raised without slaves ; finally, it would " leave the question of slavery in the cotton States for philosophical treatment, unless it becomes necessary to settle it under the war power before the present war is ended." The letter concludes as follows : -
"These points are urged, not in the interests of abolitionists, but by leading commercial men and capitalists, as fairly coming under the necessities and rules of war. Martial law proclaimed, events will no doubt educate the people and the next Congress to a wise solution of all the questions which may afterwards arise in connection with slaves and slavery, in an exceptional State or dependency like Texas.
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
By such seizure and treatment of Texas as is briefly indicated above, it is urged, that we shall have, at the end of the war, material guaran- ties that will prevent any such compromise or settlement as to make a renewal of the struggle for ascendency, or another rebellion, pos- sible."
A copy of the letter was sent to some friends of the Gov- ernor in New York and Washington, including the Postmaster- General, Montgomery Blair, to whom the Governor wrote, "I believe that the subject will be of interest to you, and that you will be pleased to say the right word at the proper time, in furtherance of some such measure as I have indicated." Of all the Cabinet officers, Mr. Blair appears to have been the one on whose judgment, influence, and activity he relied the most to advance his views of policy upon the Administration.
On the same day, the Governor wrote to Senator Wilson, suggesting that Congress offer a bounty of twenty-five dollars to raw recruits in new regiments, and double that sum to soldiers who will serve in regiments in the field.
On the 2d of December, he acknowledged, with thanks, the receipt of twenty-seven hundred and eighty-seven dollars, raised by voluntary subscription among the mechanics employed in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Commodore Hudson and Charles Field paid the money to the Governor. It was to be used " for the relief of poor and dependent families of volun- teers in the military service of the United States."
During the month of December, information reached the Governor, that an order had been issued by Brigadier-General Stone, U.S.A., in command near Pottsville, Md., giving a description of two fugitive slaves, and directing, should they appear in camp, that they be arrested and returned to their owners. On Sunday morning, as usual, several negroes came into the camp of our Twentieth Regiment to sell cakes and fruits to the soldiers. Among the negroes who visited the camp were two who answered the description of the fugitives named in General Stone's order. They were immediately arrested. " A file of soldiers, under a sergeant, with loaded muskets, was sent to escort them to their supposed owners, and deliver them up." That Massachusetts soldiers should be
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CATCHING FUGITIVE SLAVES.
employed to catch and return fugitive slaves, sorely vexed the Governor, who immediately wrote to Lieutenant-Colonel Palfrey against Massachusetts men being employed in such duty. He also wrote a long letter to Secretary Cameron, protesting against the practice. He said, "I invoke your interposition, not only now, but for the future, for the issue of such orders as will secure the soldiers of this Commonwealth from being participators in such dirty and despotie work." This letter he enclosed in another to Senator Sumner, with a request that he would read it, and hand it to the Secretary of War, and that he, Mr. Sumner, " would co-operate with him in his efforts to protect the soldiers of Massachusetts from being made the bloodhounds of slavery in obedience to the iniquitous and illegal orders of brigadier-gener- als, and others in the interest of the slave power." The War Department took no immediate action upon this particular case. Mr. Sumner brought it before the. Senate, and denounced in strong language the order of General Stone, which drew from that officer a letter equally denunciatory of the Senator, and an implied challenge to a duel. Mr. Sumner took no notice of either. But the matter did not end here. On the thirtieth day of December, the Governor wrote a long letter to Major-Gen- eral Mcclellan, in reply to a letter from Brigadier-General Stone, which had been forwarded and apparently approved by General MeClellan, in which the order issued by General Stone, directing the arrest of the fugitives, is defended, and an attempt is made to belittle the State of Massachusetts, and in which he speaks of the "usurpations of these ambitious State author- ities." It also speaks of the soldiers of the Twentieth Regi- ment being "enlisted in the service of the United States, in the State of which the Governor referred to is the re- spected chief magistrate; but this gives him no right to as- sume control of the internal discipline of the regiment." The Governor gives the General: to understand that the regiment was recruited in Massachusetts, that the soldiers were Mas- sachusetts men, that they were provided with every kind of equipment, including Enfield rifles, every thing "down to shoe- strings and tent-pins," all of which was furnished by the State, and paid for by the State, that the officers were commissioned
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
by him, "the colonel of the regiment was Colonel William Raymond Lee, an army officer, and graduate of West Point, now a prisoner in a felon's cell at Richmond. I would to Heaven he were back now, or that the Army of the Potomac were hammering at his prison-door with both hands, and neither hand averted to protect the institution which is the cause of all this woe." The Governor disclaimed any intention to "assume control of the interior discipline of the regiment." His purpose was to prevent Massachusetts soldiers from being used, contrary to law, to catch and return fugitive slaves. He was sorry "to perceive in the conduct of Brigadier-General Stone a levity of mind which does not appreciate the responsibility of the grave duties with which the power of appointment charges the officer in whom it is vested." This appears to have been the end of the correspondence. General Stone was afterwards imprisoned in Fort Lafayette, by order of the Secretary of War, Mr. Stan- ton ; but the charges upon which the arrest was made have never been made public.
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