USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts in the Civil War > Part 27
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" During the month of June, I received another note from Mr. Wy- man, dated at the Parker House, Boston, he having, in the mean while, returned to America. This letter was assigned to a member of my staff, to whom Mr. Wyman was referred for consultation. It was at that time that I first heard that there was said to be a cloud of some sort upon Mr. Wyman's character ; and, having little leisure myself to enter into quasi-judicial investigations as to personal character, I passed over his name in the appointments which I was then making. The nature of the reports against him were not then stated to me; and, al- though I was soon after advised of them, yet there are things stated, in your letter of Jan. 1, as 'notorious facts,' of which it is only through yourself that I have knowledge.
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" Very shortly afterwards, Adam W. Thaxter, Esq., of this city, doubtless known to you as one of the most distinguished merchants of Boston, brought the name of Mr. Wyman very urgently to my atten- tion, both personally and in a letter, dated June 20, in which he re- quested me to call on himself, if Mr. Wyman should 'need an indorser,' and stated, that, in his opinion, Mr. Wyman, if appointed a colonel, would ' do credit to his native State.'
" And, on July 1, Mr. Thaxter further presented to me a communi- cation, in writing, signed by Captain Thomas J. C. Amory, of the Sev- enth Infantry, U.S.A., and Captain Lewis II. Marshall, of the Tenth Infantry, U.S.A., both of whom had served in the army with Mr. Wy- man, and who were, if I remember, the only United States regular army officers then on duty in this city ; and signed also by Charles G. Greene, Esq., Franklin Haven, Esq., William Dehon, Esq., William Parkman, Esq., Hon. George Lunt, Hon. Benjamin F. Hallett, Henry L. Hallett, Esq., P. Holmes, Esq., Edward F. Bradley, Esq., Joseph L. Henshaw, Esq., Peter Butler, Esq., Thomas C. Amory, Esq., and J. P. Bradlee, Esq., - all of these gentlemen of this city, who are doubtless known to you by reputation, and with some of whom I cannot doubt that you are personally acquainted, - in which communication, these gentlemen requested the appointment of Mr. Wyman as a colo- nel, and certified that they ' believed in him as a gentleman, a man of worth, an accomplished officer, and brave soldier ; and that a regiment under bis command would yield to none in the service for discipline, high tone, and efficiency ; and also, that they felt convinced, 'under all circumstances,' he 'would do honor to his State and to his country.' These gentlemen further stated, that they made this request in full knowledge of the existence of the rumors and influences against Mr. Wyman's reputation ; and nevertheless, with such knowledge, they earnestly ' urged ' him, 'as one of those to whom the honor of Massa- chusetts may confidently be trusted.'
" About the same time, Mr. Wyman addressed to me a communica- tion in writing, denying the truth of the prejudicial rumors in circula- tion against him, and, although admitting that it was true that he had formed a matrimonial connection with a lady who had eloped from her husband by reason of that husband's brutal treatment of her, yet stat- ing also that he had not seen the lady for the year preceding, nor for the year after, her elopement. This communication, I find, upon referring to it, amounts also to a denial of the truth of much that is stated by you, in your letter of Jan. 1, as 'notorious facts,' derogatory to Mr. Wyman's character.
" Upon the basis of this statement, made by Mr. Wyman, and con- 18
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
trolled by no responsible counter-statement or testimony whatsoever, and upon the formal assurance I received from the numerous gentlemen whom I have mentioned, that he was a good soldier and a good citizen, I did not feel myself justified in rejecting the services of a highly mer- itorious and thoroughly educated officer, upon unsubstantial rumors of an alleged moral error, which did not affect his military competency, and more especially at a time when the services of educated officers were so greatly needed for the command of our troops.
"I therefore appointed Mr. Wyman to be colonel of the Sixteenth Regiment, - an appointment which, under the circumstances stated, commended itself to my judgment, and which I have no reason what- soever now to regret, and, under like circumstances, should not hesitate to repeat.
" As it was upon the faith of the assurances made to me by Mr. Thaxter and the other gentlemen in their communication of July 1 that the appointment of Colonel Wyman was made. I therefore conceive that your quarrel with this appointment should be with those gentlemen, rather than with myself; and therefore I propose to inclose copies of your correspondence with me, in this connection, to Mr. Thaxter, as rep- resenting them ; and I must request you to address to them any future correspondence upon this subject, inasmuch as they are better acquainted than myself with Colonel Wyman, and his character, life, and con- nections, which I know chiefly through them. I desire to add, that, in all the intercourse which I have had with Colonel Wyman during the organization of his regiment, I never observed, on his part, the manifestation of any other qualities than those of an accomplished officer ; and I should be very reluctant to give credit to your reproaches against his character, especially in view of the standing of those gen- tlemen by whom his character as a gentleman was certified to me.
" In conclusion, I would say, that I do not feel that any reason exists, requiring me to enter into such an explanation as the above ; but when an officer of the rank of major-general in the army of the United States volunteers thinks it necessary to diversify his occupations by needless flings at a fellow-officer in the same army, seeking to strike myself through him, a sense of honor and duty, both to the Common- wealth and to the gentleman thus struck at, requires me to spare no proper pains to see that justice is fully done."
As reference is made, in the above letter, to a letter received by the Adjutant-General from Colonel Wyman, we would say, that our recollection of it is, that it was brought to our office by an old friend of Colonel Wyman, - James Oakes, Esq., a
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CONTROVERSY WITII GENERAL BUTLER.
merchant of this city. The letter had been inclosed in one which he had received from Colonel Wyman. It was a tender of his services to the Governor of his native State, in any mili- tary capacity he might be pleased to place him. Before any action was taken upon the matter, Colonel Wyman arrived in Boston, and reported at the State House. IIe was a true Union man, and anxiously desired to serve his country. As before stated, he was killed before Richmond, June 30, 1862. No one in command of a regiment of Massachusetts, in so short a time, made himself more beloved by his officers and men, or exhib- ited higher military qualities, than Colonel Wyman. He was a modest, quiet, and reserved gentleman. He possessed the qualities of kindness and firmness in a high degree. He was of light frame, of middle age, had a pleasant, thoughtful face, a fine-formed head, and a warm, generous heart. There is not an officer or soldier remaining of the original Sixteenth Regiment who does not speak of him with an affectionate regard, surpass- ing ordinary respect ; and many have said, that, if he had lived, he would have commanded the Army of the Potomac before the close of the war.
General Butler continued independent recruiting until two regiments of infantry, three companies of cavalry, and a com- pany of light artillery, were raised by him in Massachusetts, not- withstanding the law gave to the Governor the exclusive right to organize regiments, and to commission the officers. The con- troversy lasted four months. The Governor had given General Butler the Twenty-sixth and the Twenty-eighth Regiments, which was the full proportion of this State, for his expedition. The troops raised by General Butler were sent from the State without commissioned officers, without rolls being deposited in the Adjutant-General's office, and without the knowledge of the Executive ; all of which was against orders, good policy, and statute law. In the mean time, Massachusetts had sent forward to the front eight full regiments, besides many recruits for old regiments. The Governor had written of late frequently to the War Department about General Butler's course, but re- ceived no satisfactory answer. On the 21st of December, he enclosed copies of the entire correspondence up to that date to
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
our Senators in Congress, accompanied by an earnest appeal for them to examine it, and afterwards to present it to the Presi- dent. He said, -
" As I do not receive any reply from the officers of the Federal Gov- ernment whom I have thus addressed, nor any redress or correction of the evils of which complaint is therein made, I am compelled thus to resort to your official intervention. However humble and unimportant might be the person who holds the place of chief executive magistrate of Massachusetts, the venerable Commonwealth which he serves should be treated with respect."
The letter refers to the blood shed by the children of this Commonwealth at Baltimore, at Ball's Bluff, and wherever else they have been called in arms, during the present year, and to the willingness the State has always been to bear her portion of the burdens of the war, and closes with this paragraph : -
"I am compelled to declare, with great reluctance and regret, that the course of proceeding under Major-General Butler in this Commonwealth seems to have been designed and adapted simply to afford means to persons of bad character to make money unscrupu- lously, and to encourage men whose unfitness had excluded them from any appointment by me to the volunteer military service, to hope for such appointment over Massachusetts troops from other authority than that of the Executive of Massachusetts."
To this letter Mr. Sumner wrote, Jan. 10, 1862, "I am au- thorized by the War Department to say, that, if you will send on your programme with reference to General Butler, it shall be carried out, and the department (of New England) given up. Please let me know your desires." This was received by the Governor on the 14th ; and he immediately telegraphed, as an answer, "The President has my programme written, replying to his telegram of last Saturday. My letters should be directly, and not indirectly, answered by the President or Depart- ment."
The result of the controversy was, that the Department of New England was dissolved. The two regiments raised by General Butler, known as the Eastern and Western Bay-State Regiments, were afterwards designated the Thirtieth and Thirty- first Regiments Massachusetts Volunteers, and the officers were
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CONTROVERSY WITH GENERAL BUTLER.
selected and commissioned by Governor Andrew ; and, from that time until the end of the war, the War Department, under the Secretaryship of Mr. Stanton, did its business with the States through the Governors of States.
Before closing this subject, it is proper to state, that Governor Andrew, about the beginning of November, authorized the Adjutant-Genera? to confer with General Butler in regard to organizing and equipping the Twenty-eighth (Irish) Regiment, which had been set apart as one of the two regiments which the Governor had offered him. At that time, parts of two Irish regiments had been recruiting, one of which was designated the Twenty-ninth, which was encamped at Framingham. It was, however, found expedient to take the men from Framingham, and mass them with the Twenty-eighth, which was in " Camp Cameron," at Cambridge. On the 7th of November, after the consolidation, the Twenty-eighth Regiment had seven hundred and fifteen men. On that day, the Adjutant-General addressed a letter to Major-General Butler, by direction of the Governor, calling his attention to the fact that the men had not been armed, uniformed, or equipped, which General Butler had in- formned the Governor he had authority from Washington to do. The regiment had received " no aid or attention " whatever, from his head-quarters. The Governor, therefore, wished to be in- formed immediately whether he considered the regiment as part of his command, or whether he did not wish to have it.
To which an answer was made, the same day, by Major Strong, that, as the Twenty-eighth Regiment had been thus far recruited by the State, it would be continued to be recruited by the State; but General Butler would take it as part of his command, if it could be ready by the 1st of December, and would add some recruits to complete it, if he could be permitted to indicate the officers who should command the men they had recruited. This being permitted, General Butler would at once "arm, uniform, and equip the regiment, as his authority re- quires him to ' organize ' as well ; but he will ask only an advisory power in the organization."
The Adjutant-General had a personal interview with Major Strong on the 9th, in which the whole matter was talked over.
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
There were, at that time, fifteen parts of companies at "Camp Cameron." After the personal conference with Major Strong, and on the same day, the Adjutant-General wrote to Major Strong, in which he referred to the personal interview, and said, -
"There are fifteen companies and parts of companies at 'Camp Cameron.' I propose to make ten companies of them, and fill up the ranks of each to the maximum standard; and I wish to know if Gene- ral Butler will furnish men for the purpose. If you prefer, I will mass the men into eight companies, and then have two full companies sent from 'Camp Chase' (Butler's camp) to complete the regiment. Gene- ral Butler can advise in regard to the officers. It is important that the regiment be filled immediately, and properly officered. I am author- ized to adjust all matters relating to the regiment with General Butler and yourself. ... I will, if you desire it, make out a complete roster ; and you can lay it before General Butler for examination and approval. I would be glad to have him name persons whom he would like to have appointed, if he has any in his mind. His Excellency will leave for New York on Monday evening. I wish to have these matters definitely settled, if possible, before he leaves."
Nov. 11. - Major Strong wrote, in answer, that -
"It will be quite satisfactory to make the arrangement proposed, - viz., to make eight companies of the fifteen skeleton companies you men- tion, and to add two companies from 'Camp Chase' as soon as they are full, with the list of officers accompanying them, to be designated hy General Butler, - this to be upon the understanding, that the Twenty- eighth Regiment is to be a part of the expeditionary corps soon to sail, and not a portion of the troops to be raised by General Butler, under order of Sept. 10, 1861 ; General Butler desiring to fill up the regiments destined for this purpose as soon as possible, besides those he is re- cruiting."
Major Strong further stated, that two regiments and two bat- teries " will sail the coming week ; " also, that the "arrange- ment in regard to the Twenty-eighth Regiment is designed to be made wholly independently of the unhappy and unfortunate difference of opinion which has arisen between His Excellency the Governor and General Butler (which the latter much re- grets), upon the right of recruitment, on the part of the United States Government, in Massachusetts." He also said, that
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CONTROVERSY WITH GENERAL BUTLER.
" General Butler would be happy to examine the roster, as pro- posed ; " and, if not satisfactory, he would send other recom- mendations, as requested.
The letter was received by the Adjutant-General on the day on which it was written : and he returned his answer on the same day, as follows : -
" Yours of date is received, in relation to the Twenty-eighth Regi- ment. The fact which I wish to ascertain is this : Will General Butler accept of the Twenty-eighth Regiment? In your letter, he accepts it, with the following stipulation : ' On the express understanding, that the Twenty-eighth Regiment is to be a part of the expeditionary corps soon to sail, and not a portion of the troops to be raised by General Butler, under order of Sept. 10, 1861.' This acceptance is not satisfactory. If General Butler accepts the Twenty-eighth Regiment for his di- vision, it must be as one of the two regiments raised by Massachusetts as her quota of the six which were to be raised for his division in New England ; and I wish to be informed, as soon as possible, whether Gene- ral Butler will accept of the Twenty-eighth, with this understanding. The other propositions in your letter are satisfactory."
To this, Joseph M. Bell, Esq., acting aide-de-camp to Gene- ral Butler, made immediate answer Nov. 11, -
" If the Governor will authorize two regiments - the Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth - to be organized by General Butler, with a veto power upon General Butler's selection of improper persons as officers, General Butler will accept the Twenty-eighth as one of them. This in answer to a communication of to-day to the Assistant Adjutant- General, who is absent."
The following note closed the correspondence : -
ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, BOSTON, Nov. 11, 1861. To JOSEPH M. BELL, Esq., acting Aide-de-camp to Major-General Butler.
SIR, - Your letter of this date has been received. The proposition is respectfully declined.
Your obedient servant,
WILLIAM SCHOULER, Adjutant-General.
The Twenty-eighth Regiment consequently never became a part of Major-General Butler's command. When organized, it was sent to South Carolina, and was subsequently transferred to the Army of the Potomac.
280
. MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
In the foregoing pages, we have endeavored to give an impar- tial transcript of the correspondence between the Governor and General Butler, and of the other parties who incidentally took part in it. The original trouble grew out of the unauthorized interference by Secretary Cameron with recruiting in Massachu- setts, by giving special permits to outside parties to recruit regi- ments here. No one had this right but the Governor of the State ; no one had the right to appoint or to commission offi- cers but the Governor. Upon him, and upon him alone, rested the responsibility of selecting proper officers to command our men. It was a responsibility which Governor Andrew had no right, and no wish, to avoid. The wisdom of having the entire control of raising, forming, and officering regiments placed in the hands of the Governors of States, must be apparent to every person who will give the subject a moment's consideration. They alone were responsible for their acts to the people of their several Commonwealths. To recruit men to meet the several calls of the President required in each State a well- arranged plan of operations, with a single will to guide and control it. It admitted of no interference by outside parties. There could be no State within a State. The Governor was the supreme executive officer of the Commonwealth, and there could be " no co-ordinate " power within its limits. He could not divide the responsibilities of his position with another, how- ever honorable or distinguished, any more than he could divide the honors of his high office with another.
Whenever the State authority was interfered with by the Sec- retary of War, or by parties pretending to act under his orders, independent of the Governor of the State, confusion and strife ensued; out of these attempts grew embarrassing and contra- dictory orders, the evil of which is illustrated vividly in this correspondence. By interference, General Sherman lost his original expeditionary command, and Massachusetts the honor of contributing her part of the contingent to complete it. By interfering with the plans of the Governor, and his clearly established rights and responsibilities under the laws, the or- ganization and completion of regiments were delayed. It inter- posed obstacles by interposing a pretended divided authority
280
. MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
In the foregoing pages, we have endeavored to give an impar- tial transcript of the correspondence between the Governor and General Butler, and of the other parties who incidentally took part in it. The original trouble grew out of the unauthorized interference by Secretary Cameron with recruiting in Massachu- setts, by giving special permits to outside parties to recruit regi- ments here. No one had this right but the Governor of the State ; no one had the right to appoint or to commission offi- cers but the Governor. Upon him, and upon him alone, rested the responsibility of selecting proper officers to command our men. It was a responsibility which Governor Andrew had no right, and no wish, to avoid. The wisdom of having the entire control of raising, forming, and officering regiments placed in the hands of the Governors of States, must be apparent to every person who will give the subject a moment's consideration. They alone were responsible for their acts to the people of their several Commonwealths. To recruit men to meet the several calls of the President required in each State a well- arranged plan of operations, with a single will to guide and control it. It admitted of no interference by outside parties. There could be no State within a State. The Governor was the supreme executive officer of the Commonwealth, and there could be "no co-ordinate " power within its limits. He could not divide the responsibilities of his position with another, how- ever honorable or distinguished, any more than he could divide the honors of his high office with another.
Whenever the State authority was interfered with by the Sec- retary of War, or by parties pretending to act under his orders, independent of the Governor of the State, confusion and strife ensued ; out of these attempts grew embarrassing and contra- dictory orders, the evil of which is illustrated vividly in this correspondence. By interference, General Sherman lost his original expeditionary command, and Massachusetts the honor of contributing her part of the contingent to complete it. By interfering with the plans of the Governor, and his clearly established rights and responsibilities under the laws, the or- ganization and completion of regiments were delayed. It inter- posed obstacles by interposing a pretended divided authority
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CONTROVERSY WITH GENERAL BUTLER.
in the State. In the case of General Butler, whatever may be thought of his original authority to recruit six regiments of infantry in New England, it is clear that it was modified, and made to conform to the law of Congress, by subsequent orders of the War Department, - that he was to report to the Governor, and the regiments, so far as Massachusetts was concerned in raising them, were to be raised, organized, and officered as the Governor should direct. Two regiments were a liberal por- tion for Massachusetts to raise of the six authorized to be raised for his command. The Governor promised the President and Secretary of War to aid in their completion to the ex- tent of his ability ; but, having given his promise first to Gen- eral Sherman to furnish certain regiments for him, he asked that his promise to General Sherman should be fulfilled before undertaking to recruit new regiments for General Butler. In part fulfilment of this qualified promise, however, he designated the Twenty-sixth Regiment, then nearly completed, and the Twenty-eighth Regiment, when completed, to form the con- tingent of Massachusetts for General Butler's command. Not- withstanding this, General Butler proceeded to recruit two new regiments of infantry, three new companies of cavalry, and one new company of artillery, in this State. He established a camp in Lowell, and another in Pittsfield. He promised persons commissions, which no one could issue but the Governor ; he appointed recruiting officers, and enlisted men, and, in so doing, wholly ignored the act of Congress, and the orders and au- thority of the Governor. The Governor had either to succumb or resist ; to sink the Commander-in-chief of the State and become a mere recruiting officer, to issue commissions to men whom he did not know or respect, or to sustain the whole dig- nity of his position as a magistrate, and his honor as a gentle- man.
Those who knew Governor Andrew can feel no doubt as to the course he would pursue in such an exigency. Without any of the pride which mere place sometimes gives, without any of the arrogance which power sometimes nourishes, without desire of self-aggrandizement or unmerited personal favor, with an entire absence of that "insolence of office " which weak men
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