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

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Very shortly afterwards, Adam W. Thaxter, Esq., of this city, doubtless known to you as one of the most distinguished merchants of Boston, brought the name of Mr. Wyman very urgently to my attention, both personally and in a letter, dated June 20, in which he requested me to call on himself, if Mr. Wyman should “need an indorser,” and stated, that, in his opinion, Mr. Wyman, if appointed a colonel, would “do credit to his native State.”

And, on July 1, Mr. Thaxter further presented to me a communication, in writing, signed by Captain Thomas J. C. Amory, of the Seventh Infantry, U. S.A., and Captain Lewis H. Marshall, of the Tenth Infantry, U. S.A., both of whom had served in the army with Mr. Wyman, and who were, if I remember, the only United States regular army officers then on duty in this city; and signed also by Charles G. Greene, Esq., Franklin Haven, Esq., William Dehon, Esq., William Parkman, Esq., Hon. George Lunt, Hon. Benjamin F. Hallett, Henry L. Hallett, Esq., P. Holmes, Esq., Edward F. Bradley, Esq., Joseph L. Henshaw, Esq., Peter Butler, Esq., Thomas C. Amory, Esq., and J. P. Bradlee, Esq.,—all of these gentlemen of this city, who are doubtless known to you by reputation, and with some of whom I cannot doubt that you are personally acquainted,—in which communication, these gentlemen requested the appointment of Mr. Wyman as a colonel, and certified that they “believed in him as a gentleman, a man of worth, an accomplished officer, and brave soldier; and that a regiment under his command would yield to none in the service for discipline, high tone, and efficiency;” and also, that they felt convinced, “under all circumstances,” he “would do honor to his State and to his country.” These gentlemen further stated, that they made this request in full knowledge of the existence of the rumors and influences against Mr. Wyman's reputation; and nevertheless, with such knowledge, they earnestly “urged” him, “as one of those to whom the honor of Massachusetts may confidently be trusted.”

About the same time, Mr. Wyman addressed to me a communication in writing, denying the truth of the prejudicial rumors in circulation against him, and, although admitting that it was true that he had formed a matrimonial connection with a lady who had eloped from her husband by reason of that husband's brutal treatment of her, yet stating also that he had not seen the lady for the year preceding, nor for the year after, her elopement. This communication, I find, upon referring to it, amounts also to a denial of the truth of much that is stated by you, in your letter of Jan. 1, as “notorious facts,” derogatory to Mr. Wyman's character.

Upon the basis of this statement, made by Mr. Wyman, and controlled