USA > Massachusetts > Massachusetts in the war, 1861-1865 Pt. 1 > Part 5
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 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
35
1778894
TIIE EXCIIANGE OF PRISONERS.
From the first, Governor Andrew was extremely anxious that the United States authorities should effect arrangements for the prompt exchange of prisoners of war, and he urged the matter with all the eloquence at his command. The reports of privations endured by the Union soldiers who had fallen into the hands of the enemy- though insignificant compared with the prison pen horrors later in the war-touched his heart, and he was especially moved when ' after the battle of Ball's Bluff a number of Massachusetts officers, including Colonel Lee and Major Revere of the Twentieth Regi- ment, were confined as hostages in the county jail at Richmond, Va. Writing to the President in December of that year, the gover- nor pleaded strongly for the adoption of immediate measures for the release of these captives from their sad condition. Speaking of these officers he said :-
All of them are gentlemen and soldiers who have no superiors in any sphere of human life in all those qualities which ought to com- mand respectful treatment-are imprisoned in felons' cells, fed on felons' fare, in a common jail; huddled together in a space so narrow that there is not air enough for health or comfort ; allowed, for ex- ercise, to promenade half an hour each day on a narrow pathway sur- rounding their prison, and especially exposed to disease by the fact that some of their companions, who are grievously sick, are not re- moved to hospitals.
He contrasted this picture with the condition of affairs at Fort Warren, in Boston Harbor, were numerous Confederate prisoners, including Mason and Slidell, were confined, enjoying every privilege consistent with retaining them in custody, and receiving equal con- sideration with the officers of the garrison in all matters pertaining to their personal comfort and welfare.
But though the immediate release of the Massachusetts men in the hands of the Confederate authorities could not be effected, steps could be and were taken for the amelioration of their condition. Blankets, clothing and other articles of which they were in need were furnished in abundance and sent forward to Richmond, where Adjutant Peirson of the Twentieth Regiment was allowed by the prison authorities to distribute the articles among the needy Massa- chusetts men. Lieutenant Poirson, in reporting the fact to the home authorities, stated that he had provided for the needs of nearly 400 Massachusetts soldiers at Richmond, in addition to which he had sent a portion to those in New Orleans and Tuscaloosa.
.
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE WAR.
While, notwithstanding the warm-hearted philanthropy displayed everywhere, the preparations for the expected work of mercy were still crude, the sufferers began to surge northward from the fast- multiplying battle-fields.
A few wounded men from Ball's Bluff had been brought to their homes in the fall of 1861, though most had fallen into the hands of the enemy. Thus far, however, not enough had come back to re- quire special preparations for their transportation or reception ; but at the opening of the Burnside campaign in North Carolina the conditions changed, and from that time there was little cessation to the sorrowful procession.
The news of the battle of Roanoke Island reached the state on the 15th of February, 1862, and Governor Andrew at once dis- patched a member of his council, Dr. Alfred Hitchcock of Fitch- burg, to the scene of operations to look after the Massachusetts wounded. Dr. Hitchcock, being an eminent surgeon and possessed of much executive ability, filled the requirements of the position admirably. On the 7th of March he set out for the North with 125 wounded and sick aboard a transport, landing at Baltimore on the evening of the 9th. The progress thence was slow and tedious, especially for the unfortunate soldiers. The transportation of such sufferers in considerable numbers was a new experience for all in- terested, and kind as were the hearts of all the loyal people, few hands had been trained to just the work that was needed, so that there were some annoying delays and not a little resultant suffering. But all of the 76 Massachusetts men in the party reached their homes or a hospital by the 13th. As a result of these earlier ex- periences, Massachusetts agencies were established at Baltimore and Philadelphia, so that the sick and wounded of the state were sure of being cared for at all large cities en route to their homes.
The most important of these humane agencies was that at Wash- ington, which during most of the war was under the care of Colonel Gardiner Tufts of Lynn, who was appointed during the summer of 1862. The agency, however, was established directly after the ar- rival of the Sixth Regiment, with its wounded, April 19, 1861, when several natives of Massachusetts resident at the national capital formed an organization to care for the needy soldiers from their native state. George W. MeClellan, second assistant post- master-general, was the first president of the association. The
37
ESTABLISHMENT OF AGENCIES.
supreme court room in the Capitol was fitted up as a hospital, and the duties of matron were assumed by Miss Lander of Salem, a sister of General F. W. Lander. As the demands upon this agency increased with the opening of hostilities in 1862, the work was systematized and extended under Colonel Tufts until it not only in- elnded an active oversight of the Massachusetts sick and wounded in the 60 hospitals in and about Washington, but reached to the battle-fields and the temporary hospitals in their vicinity. This work was most efficiently done, and embraced alike an oversight of the living soldiers, whether well or disabled, and care for the re- mains of the dead. A noble Dedham woman, Mrs. Jennie L. Thomas, aided Colonel Tufts in the discharge of his duties during most of his term. The names of 36.151 sick or wounded soldiers from the state were recorded at the Washington agency, and the expense to the Massachusetts treasury was some $35,000. During the last year of the war a branch was maintained at Annapolis which gave especial attention to the soldiers from Massachusetts who had been or were prisoners of war.
The agency at Baltimore was established under direction of Governor Andrew to meet the necessities of the situation, being placed in charge of William Robinson of that city, who had won favorable notice through his kindness to the wounded of the Sixth Regiment on the 19th of April, 1861. Mr. Robinson died before the close of the war, leaving to other hands the completion of the work. At Philadelphia, Robert C. Carson was placed in charge of the immediate interests of the Massachusetts soldiers passing through the city. These positions were naturally of less import- ance than those at Washington and New York, especially in the case of Philadelphia, whose citizens were so thoughtful and gener- ous to soldiers from all the states ; but much valuable service was rendered by the agencies in their respective fields.
Nor did the preparations already referred to for the comfort and assistance of the soldier exhaust the range of beneficent work. While the pay of the volunteer was not large, every inducement was extended for him to save at least a portion of it for the com- fort of those dependent upon him, or for his own use upon his re- turn to civil life. Congress having provided on the 22d of July, 1861, for the application of the allotment system to the volunteer soldiers, three allotment commissioners were appointed by the Presi-
38
MASSACHUSETTS IN TIIE WAR.
dent for each state ; those for Massachusetts, nominated by Gover- nor Andrew, were Frank B. Fay of Chelsea, Henry Edwards of Boston and David Wilder, Jr., of Newton. They were appointed in February, 1862, and at once visited all the Massachusetts organi- zations then in the field, besides presenting the matter to those subsequently formed. So well was the work done that members of 41 regiments or batteries took advantage of the system. By this plan a portion of the soldier's pay was deducted by the United States paymasters and sent directly to the state treasurer, by whom it was distributed to the recipients named in the act of allotment, through the various city and town treasurers, or placed in the state treasury at interest until claimed by the soldier. In this way over $3,000,000 was sent home by Massachusetts soldiers, independent of the sums sent directly by the soldiers after every visit of the paymaster. Thus a great amount was saved for the comfort of families at home which would otherwise have been squandered, and the tax upon town and state authorities was doubtless measurably lightened.
There were naturally and unavoidably many complications, mis- understandings and delays arising from the adjustment of state and national authority in respect to the regiments called into the national service. Under the Massachusetts militia system the offi- cers were elected, and, as the term of the militia regiments in 1861 was short, no question arose as to the method of filling vacancies which might result during their absence. With the volunteer organi- zations for longer terms of service the elective method was dropped and the officers of the regiments and companies were selected and commissioned by the governor. How the vacancies which occurred after the commands left the state were to be filled was not at first clear ; but during August, 1861, it was settled that the adjutant general of the United States should report the vacancy to the gov- ernor, who should issue the commission to such person as he might select, and this custom, with modifications in the case of certain troops which will be noted in the proper place, continued during the war. Another and financially a more important settlement was arranged a few weeks later, by which the national government re- imbursed the state to the amount of $775,000 for stores and sup- plies which had already been furnished, and arrangements were made covering future transactions of like nature. These negotia-
-
39
ANDREW AND BUTLER DISAGREE.
tions were conducted at Washington by Quartermaster General Reed and Colonel Browne, Governor Andrew's private secretary. But with the ablest efforts of the state officials, justice could not in all cases be obtained, and one of these failures was in connection with some companies of Massachusetts men who had been enlisted for the " Mozart" Regiment-a New York organization. As these men could not be credited to the quota of Massachusetts, and under the act of the Legislature their families were shut out from the privileges of state aid, the governor made application for their trans- fer to a Bay State regiment, being desirous that they should be united with the seven companies then at Fortress Monroe, which afterward became the Twenty-ninth Massachusetts Regiment. This request, however, was not granted, and the companies were never credited to the state, though an amendment by the Legislature at its next session extended the provisions of the State Aid act to the families of the men.
The closing months of 1861 and the beginning of 1862 were made unpleasant by a serious misunderstanding and bitter conflict of authority between Governor Andrew and General Butler. In fact, from the very first there seems hardly to have been harmony between the two. Both were strong, self-reliant, determined men ; the governor was, as has been shown, deeply in earnest in carrying out his plans and intolerant of interference with his prerogatives; the general was equally determined upon the accomplishment of any purpose to which he was committed, and his methods were any- thing but conciliatory to those from whom he chanced to differ. The first evidence of diversity of views appears soon after the ar- rival of General Butler at Annapolis, when he tendered to Governor Hicks of Maryland the services of the Eighth Massachusetts Regi- ment for the suppression of a negro insurrection should one occur, as was then apprehended. The rumored uprising did not take place, and was not even contemplated ; but on being informed of the action taken by General Butler the governor expressed his disapproval, claiming that the troops should be moved forward to Washington as soon as possible for the protection of the national government. General Butler replied with a strong letter justifying his course ; but by making the correspondence public weakened his otherwise strong position. The estrangement was deepened during his com- mand at Fortress Monroe, when he received further criticism from
1
f S 1
er- of d i-
40
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE WAR.
the governor, who intimated that the general was not as careful as he should have been of the personal comfort of some of the Massa- chusetts troops under his command.
Early in the autumn of 1861 General Butler began preparations for what finally took form as his New Orleans expedition. A part of his duty in that connection was the raising of the troops of which it was to be composed, as the national government had none that could be spared. Unfortunately a similar expedition was then being fitted out-that of General Sherman with head-quarters at New York, which was destined for the North Carolina coast, and which, Sherman being transferred to another command, was finally organized under the direction of General Burnside, with head-quarters at Annapolis. Three regiments from Massachusetts, enlistment for which was then in progress, had been promised to General Sherman, and strenuous efforts were being made for their completion, when on the 28th of August Captain David K. Wardwell was granted permission by the secretary of war to raise a regiment of volunteers in Massachusetts. Governor Andrew refused to recognize his right to do this, but he was authorized to raise for the Twenty-second Massachusetts Regi- ment, then in process of organization, a company of which he was commissioned captain. Serious trouble had already arisen in other states over the giving of these special permits to recruiting officers, and Governor Andrew protested in behalf of his own state. Quar- termaster General Reed and Colonel Browne were then in Washing- ton, and upon presenting the matter to the President and the seere- tary of war received the assurance that no further permits of this nature should be granted, but that the governor should have ex- clusive control of the organizing of troops within the state.
All possible efforts were therefore bent to the completion of the regiments for Sherman's expedition, when on the 11th of Septem- ber the governor received from Washington official intelligence that General Butler purposed raising six regiments in New England, for which the dispatch, signed by the President as well as the secre- tary of war, asked the consent of Governor Andrew. The latter replied at once, asking that the state be called on for such troops as were desired, and offering as soon as the regiments intended for General Sherman were filled to "help General Butler to the utmost." Without replying definitely to this communication, Secretary Came- ron on the 12th issued an authorization to General Butler "to fit
41
THIE DEPARTMENT OF NEW ENGLAND.
out and prepare such troops in New England as he may judge fit for the purpose " of his expedition. Four days after this paper was issued came a Special Order from the adjutant general at Washing- ton which directed " all persons having received authority from the War Department to raise volunteer regiments in the loyal states placed under the orders of the governors of those states." This was what Governor Andrew desired, and he immediately issued a Special Order, designating the organizations then in process of formation, and directing that till they were filled no new regiments or companies should be formed without permis- sion from the state head-quarters. General Butler was not inclined to acquiesce gracefully with the wishes of the governor, and on the 1st of October another General Order was issued from the adjutant general's office at Washington, creating the New England states a military department, to be commanded by Major General Butler with head-quarters at Boston while recruiting his division.
On establishing head-quarters General Butler opened correspond- * ence with the governor, requesting published authority for the en- listment of an infantry regiment and a squadron of cavalry ; but this authority was not given, the governor declining to take any different course in the case of General Butler from that pursued with General Sherman and later with General Burnside. It is un- necessary to follow the controversy and the correspondence in de- tail. The Twenty-sixth and Twenty-eighth Massachusetts Regiments were assigned to General Butler when organized ; in addition to which the general established one camp at Pittsfield and another at Lowell. At the former a regiment was organized, known for a time as the " Western Bay State Regiment," -- afterward the Thirty- first ; while at Lowell the "Eastern Bay State Regiment "-the Thirtieth-was raised, with the Fourth Light Battery and three unattached companies of cavalry. These two regiments and four companies left the state without their officers having been commis- sioned, no adjustment having been reached in the matter. Goyer- nor Andrew protested earnestly to the authorities at Washington against the course taken by General Butler, but it was not until January, 1862, that the position taken by the governor was recog- nized. A satisfactory settlement was then effected ; the "Depart- ment of New England " was abolished, and commissions for the two regiments and the companies were issued by the governor.
:
42
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE WAR.
This unfortunate experience seems to have convinced the general government that it could not with safety interfere with the enlist- ment of troops in the loyal states, and nothing further occurred to mar the harmonious relations in this direction which thenceforth existed between the authorities at Boston and those at Washington. In commissioning the officers of the regiments raised by General Butler, Governor Andrew declined to recognize the field officers and some others selected by General Butler, and this refusal un- doubtedly wrought hardship in some cases, where months of faithful service had been given in good faith on the part of those thus dis- appointed. But most of these were provided by General Butler with staff positions or commissions in organizations recruited in the seceded states, and several such rose to high rank and marked distinction before the close of the war.
s
.
CHAPTER V.
THE STATE ELECTION OF 1861-SUPPLEMENTARY LEGISLATION-RECRUITING OFFICES CLOSED-" THE BANKS SCARE"-THE CALL FOR 300,000 THREE- YEARS' TROOPS-AND FOR A LIKE NUMBER FOR NINE MONTHS-THE POLITI- CAL CAMPAIGN OF 1862.
W HILE these important events connected with the prosecu- tion of the war had been in progress, the first state election subsequent to the outbreak of hostilities had taken place. Two tickets only, the Republican and the Democratic, were in the field. The Democratic convention was first held, meet- ing at Worcester on the 18th of September, 1861. Moses Bates of Plymouth was its chairman, and on calling the assemblage to order he delivered the customary speech, the tone of which as announe- ing the spirit of his party had been awaited with an interest ap- proaching suspense. The friends of Union and Freedom were not disappointed at his utterance. While differing with the Republicans as to matters of state policy, he declared emphatically for the sup- port of the national government and a vigorous prosecution of the war until peace should be conquered. Other speeches of like tenor followed ; in fact, no dissenting voice was heard in the assembly, and the resolutions, reported by a committee of which A. R. Brown of Lowell was chairman, voiced the same sentiment. Isaac Davis of Worcester was nominated as the candidate for governor, Edwin C. Bailey of Boston for lieutenant governor, Charles Thompson of Charlestown for secretary of state, Mr. Bates for treasurer, and Edward Avery of Braintree for attorney general.
The Republican convention also met at Worcester on the 1st of October, Congressman Henry. L. Dawes chairman. Mr. Dawes in his opening address made an eloquent, patriotic and liberal speech. While reaffirming the policy of his party in state and national affairs, he recognized appropriately the loyal devotion of the great body of the Democratic party and its leaders in the state. Governor
eneral enlist- red to forth igton. neral licers il un- thful dis- itler d in ked
44
MASSACHUSETTS IN THE WAR.
Andrew was unanimously renominated by acclamation for a second term ; but the filling of the minor offices on the ticket was placed in the hands of a committee with a view to securing a fusion with supporters of the general government outside of the party. This committee reported the names of Edward Dickinson of Amherst for lieutenant governor, Richard Frothingham of Charlestown for secretary of state, Henry K. Oliver of Salem for treasurer, Levi Reed of Abington for auditor and Dwight Foster of Worcester for attorney general. The convention rejected the name of Mr. Froth- ingham, a life-long democrat, and renominated Oliver Warner for a second term ; the name of Josiah G. Abbott of Lowell was sub- stituted for attorney general, and thus amended the ticket as re- ported was placed in nomination. Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Abbott represented the fusion element, the former being a Conservative, never having joined the Republican party, and the latter being a straight-out Democrat. Subsequently both declined the nomina- tion, John Nesmith of Lowell being named for lieutenant gover- nor, and Mr. Foster for attorney general.
While the convention was earnest and strong in tone, the mem- bers were by no means unanimous in their view of the national situation. The dominant sentiment was that of implicit support of President Lincoln and his associates at Washington, mingling with which was a strong flavor of conservatism-a desire to con- ciliate and unite all factions upon a broad and generous basis of loyalty. This was the purpose which prevailed in the conven- tion ; but there was a strong radical minority ready to demand the abolishment of slavery and the use of colored men in the Union army. Senator Sumner addressed the assemblage earnestly in this vein, and Rev. James Freeman Clarke offered a resolution of like tone ; but neither the views of Mr. Sumner nor the resolves of Mr. Clarke found favor with the convention. It is interesting to note the conservatism pervading the mass of the loyal people of the state at this time. While yielding to none in patriotism and devotion, they were only anxious that the armed rebellion should be subdued. They were not yet ready for the strong blow which should remove for- ever the prime cause of the revolt-the institution of slavery. This conservatism naturally gave deep offense to the more radical of the abolitionists, who were alarmed lest the speedy close of the war should leave the great cause of the rebellion still in existence.
45
THIE VERDICT AT THE POLLS.
The election took place on the 5th of November and showed how strongly the people indorsed Governor Andrew and his administra- tion ;- there was no question of the indorsement of the national government, for the state had no ticket in the field representing op- position to it. The total vote was small, being but 97,321, for 30,- 000 of the sons of Massachusetts were in the field to fight for their country and there was then no provision for casting and recording their ballots. Governor Andrew received 65.261 votes, Mr. Davis 31,264, with 756 scattering ; the majority for Andrew was 33,201- more than the entire vote against him. The Legislature, prin- cipally Republican in its membership, was unanimous in support of the war, and thus in no uncertain manner was heard the voice of Massachusetts.
The Legislature met on the 1st day of January, 1862. It organ- ized by the choice of John H. Clifford of New Bedford for president of the Senate, and Alexander H. Bullock of Worcester as speaker of the House. Both officers on assuming their duties referred to the war and the necessity for united and patriotic action. Mr. Clifford voiced the prevailing sentiment when he said, " Whatever may be his profession, he is no true patriot, who in this season of his country's peril, cannot rise to such a hight as to lose sight of all those lines of political difference which in more peaceful and pros- perous times have divided the people of the Commonwealth, or who is not ready to sacrifice everything but principle to make and keep them a united people."
The inauguration of the Governor occurred on the 3d, when his annual address was read. Its tone was in keeping with his previous utterances. After showing that the state had already expended for military purposes nearly $3.400,000, about a fourth part of which had been refunded by the United States, not to mention the sums expended by the cities and towns, he referred at considerable length to the exposed condition of the Massachusetts coast, for the pro- tection of which the national government had as yet taken no active measures. Adverting then to the cause of the rebellion and ex- pressing his firm belief that eventually the institution of slavery must be overthrown, he vet affirmed his willingness to await the coming of that event as it should be wrought out by the develop- ments of the future. Speaking for himself and in behalf of the state Governor Andrew said :-
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.