[133] one by the “State of Maine,” in company with the Sixth, which was sent by railway to New York, Baltimore, and Washington. In this connection, it may be worth while to recall the circumstances under which Governor Andrew disobeyed (fortunately) the order of the War Department to send his troops to Fortress Monroe via Baltimore by rail. I had heard two months earlier from S. M. Felton, not only the plot to attack Mr. Lincoln in Baltimore, but also the plan which he had discovered of burning the bridges on his road between Perryville and Baltimore; and this suggested still more strongly than the mere arguments of convenience the importance of re-enforcing Fortress Monroe by sea. I accordingly took a chart of the coast up to the State House, and pointed out to the Governor the ease and certainty with which he could place the troops at the fortress by water, with the additional advantage of having any or all of them taken directly up to Annapolis or Washington, in case they were needed for the defence of the capital. The Governor looked at his orders from General Scott, which were to send the whole by rail, then scrutinized the chart carefully, and, after a short delay, replied, “It's a clear case; be ready to send the two regiments by water.” This was, I think, on Monday, the glorious day when our Massachusetts men were rallying from their fields, workshops, and homes to defend the flag. If you will take the trouble to look at the charters of the “Spaulding” and the “State of Maine,” you will find a clause allowing the Governor to order the ships either to Annapolis or Washington; and in the telegraphic letter-book at the State House you will find a telegram, dated, I think, Wednesday, to General Scott, informing him when these two regiments would be due at Fortress Monroe, and also that the charters of the vessels provided for taking them up to either place. This, you will notice, was before the burning of the bridges or the fight of 19th of April in Baltimore; and it is due to Samuel M. Felton, that the historian should award to him the credit of calling General Butler's attention to the Annapolis route, as the best means of reaching Washington.While Mr. Forbes, Mr. Upton, and Colonel Borden were active in securing transports to forward troops, other gentlemen were interesting themselves with the subject. William F. Durfee, of Fall River, wrote to the Adjutant-General, April 15,—
Governor Sprague, of Rhode Island, has been trying to charter steamers of Colonel Borden, of Fall River, to take a Rhode Island regiment to Washington. I think they may succeed in getting the
