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

[277] selected and commissioned by Governor Andrew; and, from that time until the end of the war, the War Department, under the Secretaryship of Mr. Stanton, did its business with the States through the Governors of States.

Before closing this subject, it is proper to state, that Governor Andrew, about the beginning of November, authorized the Adjutant-General to confer with General Butler in regard to organizing and equipping the Twenty-eighth (Irish) Regiment, which had been set apart as one of the two regiments which the Governor had offered him. At that time, parts of two Irish regiments had been recruiting, one of which was designated the Twenty-ninth, which was encamped at Framingham. It was, however, found expedient to take the men from Framingham, and mass them with the Twenty-eighth, which was in ‘Camp Cameron,’ at Cambridge. On the 7th of November, after the consolidation, the Twenty-eighth Regiment had seven hundred and fifteen men. On that day, the Adjutant-General addressed a letter to Major-General Butler, by direction of the Governor, calling his attention to the fact that the men had not been armed, uniformed, or equipped, which General Butler had informed the Governor he had authority from Washington to do. The regiment had received ‘no aid or attention’ whatever, from his Headquarters. The Governor, therefore, wished to be informed immediately whether he considered the regiment as part of his command, or whether he did not wish to have it.

To which an answer was made, the same day, by Major Strong, that, as the Twenty-eighth Regiment had been thus far recruited by the State, it would be continued to be recruited by the State; but General Butler would take it as part of his command, if it could be ready by the 1st of December, and would add some recruits to complete it, if he could be permitted to indicate the officers who should command the men they had recruited. This being permitted, General Butler would at once ‘arm, uniform, and equip the regiment, as his authority requires him to “ organize” as well; but he will ask only an advisory power in the organization.’

The Adjutant-General had a personal interview with Major Strong on the 9th, in which the whole matter was talked over.