USA > Massachusetts > History of Massachusetts in the Civil War > Part 3
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This, in briefs was the life of Governor Andrew, up to the time he entered upon the duties of Governor of this Common- wealth.
Associated with him on the ticket as Lieutenant-Governor was Hon. John Z. Goodrich, of West Stockbridge, who, being afterwards appointed Collector of the Port of Boston, resigned on the 29th of March, 1861. Oliver Warner, of Northampton, was elected Secretary of State; Henry K. Oliver, of Salem, Treasurer and Receiver-General ; Dwight Foster, of Worcester, Attorney-General ; and Levi Reed, of Abington, Auditor of Ac- counts. Jacob Sleeper, of Boston ; John I. Baker, of Beverly ; James M. Shute, of Somerville ; Hugh M. Greene, of North- field ; Joel Hayden, of Williamsburg ; James Ritchie, of Rox- bury ; Oakes Ames, of Easton ; and Eleazer C. Sherman, of Plymouth, - were elected Councillors. William Schouler, of Lynn, was Adjutant-General, to which office he had been ap-
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
pointed by Governor Banks ; he was also acting Quartermaster and Inspector- General of the Commonwealth, - the entire duties of which offices he performed with the assistance of William Brown, of Boston, clerk, and one man, who had charge of the State arsenal at Cambridge, in which were de- posited the arms and munitions of war belonging to the Com- monwealth, except those which were loaned to the companies of active militia, and cared for in their several armories.
The personal military staff of the Governor was limited by law to four aides-de-camp, each with the rank and title of lieu- tenant-colonel. Governor Andrew appointed, as his military aids, Horace Binney Sargent, of West Roxbury (senior aid) ; Harrison Ritchie, of Boston ; John W. Wetherell, of Worcester ; and Henry Lee, Jr., of Brookline. Colonel Sargent had served on the staff of Governor Banks. He remained on the staff of . Governor Andrew until he was. commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the First Regiment of Massachusetts Cavalry, in August, 1861, when Colonel Ritchie became senior aid, and John Quincy Adams, of Quincy, was appointed to fill the vacancy.
Massachusetts was represented in the Thirty-sixth Congress, which ended March 4, 1861, by Charles Sumner and Henry Wilson, in the Senate, and by Thomas D. Elliot, James Buf- finton, Charles Francis Adams, Alexander II. Rice, Anson Burlingame, John B. Alley, Daniel W. Gooch, Charles R. Train, Eli Thayer, Charles Delano, and Henry L. Dawes, in the House of Representatives.
Before the war, and during the war, Mr. Sumner was chair- man of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Wilson of the Militia and Military Affairs, two of the most important committees of that body, which positions they now hold.
In the Thirty-seventh Congress, which terminated March 4, 1863, Benjamin F. Thomas succeeded Mr. Adams, who re- signed his seat upon receiving the appointment of Minister to England, Samuel Hooper succeeded Mr. Burlingame, who was appointed Minister to China, and Goldsmith F. Bailey suc- ceeded Mr. Thayer.
In the Thirty-eighth Congress, which terminated March 4th, 1865, Oakes Ames succeeded Mr. Buffinton, George S.
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VOLUNTEER MILITIA.
Boutwell Mr. Train, James D. Baldwin Mr. Bailey, (deceased) and William B. Washburn Mr. Delano.
In the Thirty-ninth Congress, Mr. Gooch having accepted a government appointment, Ex-Governor Banks was elected to fill the vacancy.
These Congresses extend over the period- immediately pre- ceding the war, and that of its duration and close. The Massa- chusetts Senators and Representatives served with distinction on several of the most important committees, and thus were promi- nent in perfecting bills and shaping the legislation of Con- gress. It does not, however, come within the scope of this volume to speak of their varied and valuable services in behalf of the Union, although, if properly recorded, they would add materially to the renown of the Commonwealth. The story of their services will hereafter be told by the historian of the nation, for it was the nation, and not merely a part, that they served.
The whole number of enrolled militia of the Commonwealth, in 1860, was 155,389 ; and the number of the active or volun- teer militia, 5,593. The active force was organized into three divisions and six brigades ; nine regiments and three battalions of infantry ; three battalions and eight unattached companies of riflemen ; one battalion and five unattached companies of cav- alry. Officers and men found their own uniforms. The State furnished arms and equipments, except to officers. Each com- pany had an armory for the deposit of its arms, and for drill pur- poses, the rents of which were paid by the Commonwealth.
The State, on the 1st of January, 1861, had at the arsenal at Cambridge, and distributed to the active militia, seventy-one field-pieces, of various calibre, and about ten thousand serviceable muskets, twenty-five hundred of which were of the most ap- proved pattern of the Springfield rifled musket, which, as a muzzle-loading arm, is the best in the world.
It was plain, from the tenor of his inaugural address, that Gov- ernor Andrew believed war between the North and South was imminent. He advised, among other things, an inquiry, whether, in addition to the active volunteer militia, the dor- mant militia, or some considerable portion of it, should not be placed on a footing of activity. "For how otherwise," he asks,
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
"in the possible contingencies of the future, can we be sure that Massachusetts has taken care to preserve the manly self-reliance of the citizens, by which alone, in the long-run, can the crea- tion of standing armies be averted, and the State also be ready, without inconvenient delay, to contribute her share of force in any exigency of public danger ?"
But it was not alone in his address that he foreshadowed his belief of the approach of war. It would not have been wise to make known publicly his inmost thoughts. Let actions speak. On the evening of the very day on which his inaugural address was delivered (Jan. 5), he despatched confidential mes- sages, by trustworthy messengers, to each of the Governors of the New-England States, urging preparation for the approach- ing crisis. Early in December, soon after the meeting of Con- gress, he had visited Washington, and personally acquainted himself with the aspect of national affairs, and with the views of the principal representatives both of North and South. After his return, he had opened a confidential correspondence on matters transpiring there, with Hon. Charles Francis Adams, who kept him minutely acquainted, from day to day, with the progress of events. One of the suggestions of Mr. Adams was, that there should be public demonstrations of loyalty throughout New England, and it was proposed by him to have salutes fired in each of the States on the 8th of January, the anniversary of General Jackson's victory at New Orleans. Colo- nel Wardrop, of New Bedford, Third Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, was sent to Governor Fairbanks, of Vermont ; and other messengers were sent to Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Maine, for this purpose. One of these mes- sengers was the gentleman who afterwards became Governor An- drew's private military secretary, - Colonel Albert G. Browne, of Salem, -and who served him during the entire war ; and who, for ability as a ready writer, truthfulness, sturdy independence, reticence, and undoubted patriotism, deserved, as he received, the respect and confidence of the Governor, the entire staff, and of gentlemen holding confidential and important relations with His Excellency. Colonel Browne's mission was to confer with Governor Goodwin, of New Hampshire, and Governor Wash-
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PREPARATION. - GENERAL ORDER NO. 2.
burn, of Maine. Besides the mere duty of organizing public demonstrations, he was intrusted, as to the Governor of Maine with a mission of a far more important character. Maine and Massachusetts, being subject to a common State government until 1820, sustained peculiar relations to each other, by similarity of legislation, institutions, and, in later years, of political senti- ment. Colonel Browne was intrusted with the whole of the private correspondence with Mr. Adams before mentioned, and was directed to lay it confidentially before Governor Washburn ; to advise him, that, in Governor Andrew's judgment, civil war was the inevitable result of the events going on at Washing- ton and in the South ; that the safety of Washington was al- ready threatened ; that the policy of the Executive government of Massachusetts, under the new administration, would be to put its active militia into readiness at once for the impending crisis, and persuade the Legislature, if possible, to call part of the dormant militia into activity ; and to urge Governor Wash- burn to adopt the same policy for Maine. Leaving Boston on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 5, Colonel Browne, after an interview with Governor Goodwin, at Portsmouth on Sunday, reached Augusta on Jan. 7, and held his interview with Gover- nor Washburn. By him, Adjutant-General John L. Hodsdon, and United States Senator Lot M. Morrill were called into con- sultation, and the answer was returned; that, "wherever Massa- chusetts leads, Maine will follow close, if she can't keep abreast."
Thus Governor Andrew, on the very day of his inauguration, placed himself in confidential relations with each of the Gover- nors of New England, which continued through the entire rebel- lion, and were of mutual benefit.
On the 6th of January, the day after the inauguration, Gov- ernor Andrew directed the Adjutant-General to issue General Order No. 2, which was promulgated the next day, and prop- erly executed on the eighth.
HEAD-QUARTERS, BOSTON, Jan. 7, 1861. GENERAL ORDER NO. 2.
In commemoration of the brave defenders of New Orleans, Jan. 8, 1815, by the deceased patriot, General Jackson, and in honor of the
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
gallant conduct and wise foresight of Major Anderson, now in command of Fort Sumter, in the State of South Carolina, His Excellency John A. Andrew, Governor and Commander-in-chief, orders, that a salute of one hundred guns be fired on Boston Common, at twelve, meridian, on Tuesday, Jan. 8th inst., and a national salute be fired, at the same time, for the same purposes, in Charlestown, Lexington, Concord, Wal- tham, Roxbury, Marblehead, Newburyport, Salem, Groton, Lynn, Worcester, Greenfield, Northampton, Fall River, and Lowell. . .
By command of His Excellency John A. Andrew, Governor and Commander-in-chief.
WILLIAM SCHOULER, Adjutant- General.
The purpose of firing these salutes was to revive old patri- otic memories. The Sth of January had been held a holiday by the Democratic party since the presidency of General Jackson ; though of late years it had been, in a great measure, passed over without special regard. The association of the first battle-fields of the Revolution with the last and most brilliant action of the war of 1812 and the patriotic movement of Major Anderson in Charleston Harbor, would, it was believed, revive pleasant recollections of the past, and serve to unite the North in sup- port of the Constitution and the Union.
As required by law, the Adjutant-General had made his annual report in December., It was addressed to Governor Banks, and is dated Dec. 31, 1860. On pages 37 and 38 he says, -
"Events have transpired in some of the Southern States and at Washington, which have awakened the attention of the people of Massachusetts, in a remarkable degree, to the perpetuity of the Federal Union, which may require the active militia of the Commonwealth to be greatly augmented. Should our worst fears be realized, and this nation plunged into the horrors of civil war, upon Massachusetts may rest, in no inconsiderable degree, the duty of staying the effusion of blood, and of rolling back the black tide of anarchy and ruin. She did more than her share to achieve the independence of our country, and establish the Government under which we have risen to such un- paralleled prosperity, and become the Great Power of the American Continent ; and she will be true to her history, her traditions, and her fair fame. Should it become necessary to increase the number of her
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ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S REPORT.
active militia to a war footing, the present organization offers an easy and a good means. The present companies could be filled to their full complement of men, and the regiments to their full complement of companies ; new regiments of infantry, new battalions of riflemen, new companies of artillery and cavalry, could be formed, with which to fill the several brigades, and make our present divisions five thou- sand men each, with proper apportionment of the several military arms. This, of course, would require a large outlay of money, which would doubtless be cheerfully met by our people, if their honor and the wel- fare of the country demand it of them."
The Adjutant-General then suggested, "that a board of offi- cers be called, as provided in section one hundred and sixty- three, chapter thirteen, of the General Statutes, to consider and recommend such changes as their judgment shall approve, and their experience suggest."-" In the mean time," he said, "I would suggest, that a general order. be issued, calling upon commanders of the active force to forward to head-quarters the names of the persons composing their commands, also their places of residence, so that a complete roll of each company may be on file in this department. The companies that have not their full quota of men should be filled by new enlistments to the number fixed by law ; and, whenever new enlistments are made or discharges given, the names of the persons enlisted and discharged should be forwarded immediately to head-quarters, and placed on file."
Governor Banks, to whom the report was addressed, retired from office four days after it was printed, and before any action could be taken upon the recommendations made. They looked to a greatly increased active militia force, and are the first suggestions that were made in an official form for strength- ening the military force of the Commonwealth, and placing it upon a war footing.
Governor Andrew adopted these suggestions; and on the 16th of January, eleven days after his inauguration, directed the Adjutant-General to issue General Order No. 4, which cre- ated a great interest throughout the State, and especially among the active militia.
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
HEAD-QUARTERS, BOSTON, Jan. 16, 1861.
GENERAL ORDER NO. 4.
Events which have recently occurred, and are now in progress, re- quire that Massachusetts should be at all times ready to furnish her quota upon any requisition of the President of the United States, to aid in the maintenance of the laws and the peace of the Union. His Excellency the Commander-in-chief therefore orders, -
That the commanding officer of each company of volunteer militia examine with care the roll of his company, and cause the name of each member, together with his rank and place of residence, to be properly recorded, and a copy of the same to be forwarded to the office of the Adjutant-General. Previous to which, commanders of companies shall make strict inquiry, whether there are men in their commands, who from age, physical defect, business, or family causes, may be unable or indisposed to respond at once to the orders of the Commander-in-chief, made in response to the call of the President of the United States, that they be forthwith discharged ; so that their places may be filled by men ready for any public exigency which may arise, whenever called ยท upon.
After the above orders shall have been fulfilled, no discharge, either of officer or private, shall be granted, unless for cause satisfactory to the Commander-in-chief.
If any companies have not the number of men allowed by law, the commanders of the same shall make proper exertions to have the va- eancies filled, and the men properly drilled and uniformed, and their names and places of residence forwarded to head-quarters.
To promote the objects embraced in this order, the general, field, and staff officers, and the Adjutant and acting Quartermaster General will give all the aid and assistance in their power.
Major-Generals Sutton, Morse, and Andrews will cause this order to be promulgated throughout their respective divisions.
By command of His Excellency John A. Andrew, Governor and Commander-in-chief.
WILLIAM SCHOULER, Adjutant- General. 4
The order was generally well received, and immediately acted upon. Some of the newspapers attacked it, as unneces- sary and sensational ; but it was sustained as proper. The active militia responded with alacrity. Meetings were held in their armorics, the rolls called ; and the men who could
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LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
not respond, should a call be made to march, were honorably discharged, and their places filled by active men who could. The corrected rolls were forwarded to head-quarters. Only one company sent in a political argumentative answer, which was drawn up with ability, and was evidently written by a Southern sympathizer. The document made several pages of manuscript. The Adjutant-General returned it to the officer, with the remark, that the paper was disrespectful in its tone and language to the Commander-in-chief, and in violation of the first principles of military law. He would give him an opportunity either to modify it or to withdraw it entirely. If a satisfactory response was not received within a reasonable time, the matter would be laid before His Excellency the Governor ; and the probability was, the officers of the company would be dis- charged, and the company disbanded. In a few days, a proper answer was made ; and the officer with his company, before the end of the year, were mustered into the service for three years, and were sent to the Department of the Gulf, where they did good service.
From the day that General Order No. 4 was issued, a new spirit and zeal imbued our volunteer force. Applications also came from different parts of the Commonwealth for permission to raise new companies. A general impression prevailed, that we were on the perilous edge of battle, and it was the duty of Massachusetts to be ready to meet the crisis. In the mean time, the Governor, who believed from the first that war would ensue, was obtaining information, from every available source, that would be of use, and which could guide him wisely in his course.
The first movement made in the Legislature in relation to national or military matters was a resolution which was offered in the House on the 11th of January, six days after Governor Andrew's inauguration, and a day or two after the Speaker had announced the standing committees ; which was in effect, " that it is the universal sentiment of the people of Massachusetts, that the President should enforce the execution of the laws of the United States, defend the Union, protect national property ; " and, to this end, the State " cheerfully tenders her entire means,
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
civil and military, to enable him to do so." This was referred to the Committee on Federal Relations.
Jan. 12. Mr. Slocum, of Grafton, offered a resolution, di- recting the Committee on the Militia to inquire whether the militia laws of this State were in accordance with the Constitu- tion and laws of the United States.
In the Senate, Jan. 14, the Committee on the Militia re- ported a bill of three sections to increase the volunteer force, which was discussed on the 15th and 16th, and finally recom- mitted to the committee, together with all the amendments that had been proposed.
On the same day (14th), Mr. George T. Davis, of Greenfield, introduced a bill " to prevent hostile invasions of other States ; " the purpose of which was to prevent, by fine and imprisonment, persons who should set on foot any unlawful scheme, military or naval, to invade any State or Territory of the Union. This was referred to the Committee on Federal Relations, but never was passed.
Jan. 18. In the Senate. - Mr. Cole, of Berkshire, from the Committee on Federal Relations, reported a series of resolu- tions, the purport of which was, to stand by the Union, and tendering to the President of the United States such aid, in men and money, as he may require. On motion of Mr. Northend, of Essex, the rules were suspended, and the resolves passed the Senate by a unanimous vote.
On the same day, Mr. Parker, of Worcester, introduced in the House a new militia bill, which was referred to the commit- tee on that subject.
Jan. 19. In Senate. - Mr. Northend introduced a series of resolutions, to the effect that the Constitution of the United States was the supreme law of the land; that the recent acts of South Carolina are revolutionary and treasonable ; and that this Government must be maintained at all hazards.
Referred to the Committee on Federal Relations.
The same day, a long debate took place in the House, on a bill to increase the militia, but withont coming to a vote.
Jan. 21. In Senate. - Mr. Walker, of Worcester, intro- duced a resolution to inquire whether there were parties in this
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LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.
Commonwealth making arms or ammunition, to be sold to the agents of States now or likely to be in rebellion, with power to send for persons and papers. Adopted.
Same day, a debate occurred in the House on the Militia Bill ; but, without taking a vote, the bill was recommitted.
Jan. 23. In Senate. - Mr. Schouler, of Middlesex, of- fered an order, which was adopted, directing the Adjutant- General to furnish estimates, for the use of the Legislature, of the cost of furnishing 2,000 overcoats, 2,000 blankets, 2,000 knapsacks, and camp equipage for a force of 2,000 men, when in active service.
In the House, same day, Mr. Coffin, of Newburyport, re- ported the Militia Bill in a new draft.
Same day, the Governor sent a communication to the House, informing it of the tender of the Sixth Regiment, by Colonel Jones, for immediate service,. if required.
Jan. 24. In Senate. - A message was received from the Governor, transmitting the proposition from the Legislature of Virginia, for the appointment of commissioners to meet at Washington on the 4th of February, to agree upon a compro- mise of the national difficulties. Referred to the Committee on Federal Relations, and ordered to be printed.
Jan. 26. In Senate. - Mr. Davis, of Bristol, offered this order : -
" That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to forthwith report a bill authorizing the authorities of this Commonwealth to in- dorse and guarantee the treasury notes of the United States to the full amount of the surplus revenue received by Massachusetts in the year 1837."
Some opposition was made to the order, but it was adopted.
Jan. 28. In the House. - Mr. Pierce, of Dorchester, in- troduced resolutions to sustain the Union ; and that all at- tempts to overthrow it, with the expectation of reconstructing it anew, were vain and illusory.
Referred to the Committee on Federal Relations.
Jan. 29. In Senate. - A message was received from the Governor, transmitting, certain resolutions proced by the italian of Pennsylvania and Tennessee; ale, the Ordinance of Some-
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MASSACHUSETTS IN THE REBELLION.
sion of the State of Georgia, adopted by a convention of the people of that State, and forwarded to Governor Andrew by George W. Crawford, president of that convention. After some debate, it was voted to print the message of Governor Andrew and the resolutions from the two States, but not to further notice the Secession Ordinance.
A debate then arose upon passing the bill for Massachu- setts to indorse the notes of the United States to the amount of our indebtedness on account of the surplus revenue, which, after debate, was rejected, -yeas 14, nays 19. The reason for rejecting the bill was stated by Mr. Hardy, of Norfolk. " He did not like to have it put on record that old Massachu- setts came to the Federal Government in the hour of distress, and said that she would loan her all she owed, and no more. He was in favor of giving all that the Government needed, as far as it was possible, - two, three, or four millions."
Same day, in the House, the bill to increase the militia was further debated, and a substitute for the whole bill, offered by Mr. Banfield, of West Roxbury, was adopted, and passed to a third reading by a vote of 116 to 40. This bill, however, did not become a law.
Jan. 30. In Senate. - On motion of Mr. Hardy, of Nor- folk, the bill in relation to loaning the State credit to the United States, which was rejected yesterday, was re-consid- ered ; and he offered a new proposition, as follows : -
"That the Treasurer and Receiver-General of the Commonwealth be and hereby is authorized to guarantee, upon the request of the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, the treasury bonds of the United States to the amount of $2,000,000, on such conditions as shall be agreed upon by the Secretary of the Treasury of the Uni- ted States, and the Governor and Council of this Commonwealth."
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