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of the Thirty-fourth, until lately lieutenant-colonel of the First, for brigadier.
I have heard General Hooker call Wells “a remarkable soldier.”
Nor can I doubt that General Hooker, under whom, first as brigadier, and afterwards general of a division, the First Massachusetts served for nearly one year; and General Grover, who succeeded to the command of Hooker's brigade, would unite in emphasizing my suggestion.
I would also refer to Colonel Blaisdell of our Eleventh, Colonel Wilde, and Lieutenant-Colonel Carruth of our Thirty-fifth, who served in the First Brigade, with and under Colonel Wells.
Colonel Wells was killed in action, Oct. 13, 1864, and was brevetted brigadier-general after his death.
He was one of the best and bravest officers that went from
Massachusetts into the war.
Tenth, We have five three years regiments at Newbern.
They went out with Burnside; all but one was in his three battles there.
Captain T. J. C. Amory, United-States Tenth Infantry, is colonel of our Seventeenth Volunteers.
He has acted as general of brigade, and even of division, while there, much of the time.
If any one is promoted there, I suggest Colonel Amory.
He is an accomplished officer.
Now, 1 do not ask the creation of new generals: of that let me not presume to judge.
I only ask, that, if any are made, Massachusetts troops may be put under such men as I have named.
Colonel Amory died of yellow fever at
Newbern, N. C., Oct. 7, 1864, after having been brevetted brigadier-general.
This remarkable letter concludes as follows:—
I beg leave to add that all these views are my own, unsuggested save by the accumulated knowledge of careful pains taken in appointing, and keeping up my acquaintance with our officers, and impelled by my zeal for the cause, and the honor of my State.
I trust my fulness and freedom may receive your pardon.
The changes and additions to the
Governor's staff in the year 1862 were as follows:—
John Quincy Adams, of
Quincy, was appointed aide-de-camp, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, Jan. 4, 1862, to supply the vacancy occasioned by the appointment of
Horace Binney Sargent as lieutenant-colonel of the First Regiment Massachusetts Cavalry.
Harrison Ritchie became senior aide, with rank of colonel.
