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

[206] liberality of Massachusetts. The Executive Council also kept a close watch upon expenditures, and scrutinized all bills presented for payment, which relieved the Governor and heads of departments from much of the drudgery of examining and ascertaining the accuracy of this description of accounts.

May 30.—The Governor writes to Colonel Dalton, at Washington, asking him to urge again upon the Government the necessity of arming our forts. ‘There are plenty of guns at the navy yard, at Watertown, and Springfield, which could easily be put into position. The necessity is urgent.’

He acknowledges the receipt of the letter of Powell T. Wyman, from Europe, forwarded to him by the Adjutant-General, offering his services in any military capacity.

May 31.—The Governor telegraphs to Henry Ward Beecher, New York, ‘The Milford company will arrive by the Norwich boat, to-morrow morning; the Newburyport company, by the Stonington boat; the West-Cambridge company, by the land train, leaving here at eight o'clock, this evening. Prepare to receive them: they are consigned to you.’ These three companies were impatient to enter the service. They could not be placed in any regiment here, as the quota assigned to this State was full, and the Secretary of War would accept no more. They were induced, by representations made, to go to New York, and complete a regiment said to be forming in Brooklyn, and to be known as the ‘Beecher Regiment.’ Upon arriving at New York, they were sadly disappointed in their expectations. No such regiment as had been represented was in readiness to receive them, and they were utterly neglected. Those by whom they were encouraged to come to New York gave them no support or assistance; and they telegraphed to the Governor for transportation to return home again. They came back, and again went to New York, and entered the Mozart Regiment, so called.

June 3.—In regard to these companies, the Governor telegraphed to Frank E. Howe, ‘Brooklyn must prepare to return our three companies. We have incurred expense, raised hopes; and Brooklyn has cruelly misled, disappointed, and mortified us.’ Colonel Sargent, by direction of the Governor, writes to