William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 1

[603] brigade, in which there are the remains of several of our regiments. I also, at the request of the Colonel, reviewed the brigade, after which we called upon General Wilcox, division commander, who has several Massachusetts officers on his staff. Rode to the Colonel's headquarters. After supper, a large number of our Massachusetts officers came in and spent the evening. I gave them instructions about making out their rolls, and promised to visit their camps the next day, and bring blank rolls with me. At ten o'clock, Colonel Russell and I rode to our quarters, and soon after retired. I must not omit to mention, that Captain Clarke, of the Twenty-ninth Regiment, is brigade-adjutant, and he is regarded highly by Colonel McLaughlin.

Oct. 31.—This (lay I devoted entirely to visiting our various regiments, and in giving instructions how to make out the rolls for the payment of the men who elected to take the twenty dollars a month State bounty; and impressed upon the officers the importance of having the returns made regularly. Those which I saw were the Fifty-ninth, Fifty-seventh, Twenty-ninth, Thirty-fifth, Thirty-sixth, and Twenty-first which is consolidated with the Thirty-sixth, Thirty-second which has been consolidated with the Eighteenth, Twenty-second, and Ninth. I also visited Captain Jones and the Eleventh Battery, and found both officers and men in first-rate condition. This company has charge of three small forts, in the line of works near General Ferrara's headquarters. These comprise all the Massachusetts organizations I could visit to-day. I found the men generally in good health and spirits. The consolidation of old regiments with new ones causes some irritation; but, on the whole, I found a general good feeling prevailing. This being the day for muster for pay, I had a good chance to see the officers and men; and I felt as proud as a field-marshal that they bore in their hands the honor and good name of Massachusetts.

By appointment, dined with General Ferrara, and spent a very agreeable evening. Surgeon Prince, formerly of the Thirty-sixth Massachusetts Regiment, is on the General's staff as the division surgeon. He had been with me most of the day, and dined at headquarters.

Brigadier-General Curtin also accompanied me on my visit to our regiments. He has several of them in his brigade. During the day, called upon Major-General Parks, who succeeded Major-General Burnside in command of the Ninth Corps. Nothing could exceed the cordiality with which I was received by these distinguished gentlemen. They spoke warmly in praise of our Massachusetts regiments, and inquired kindly after Governor Andrew, whom they hoped soon to meet in their camps.