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It would appear from the correspondence on the
Governor's files, that some misunderstanding and ill-feeling existed on the part of the
Secretary of War and the
Governor.
It appears that
Governor Andrew had written
Francis P. Blair,
Sen., a letter, requesting him to see the
President in relation to
Captain Ralph O. Ives, of the Massachusetts Tenth Regiment, who was a prisoner at
Richmond.
He had been dismissed the service by orders from the War Department, while yet a prisoner.
The object of writing to
Mr. Blair was to have him reinstated in his rank.
Mr. Blair was personally acquainted with
Captain Ives.
This letter had been given to
Secretary Stanton by the
President, and he had taken offence at it.
Mr. Stanton also complained to
Mr. Hooper, member of Congress, that the
Governor had delayed sending forward the heavy artillery companies.
On the 3d of May, the
Governor addressed a letter to
Mr. Hooper, in which he says,—
Mr. Stanton is utterly and entirely mistaken in saying or supposing that the forwarding of those companies has been delayed for a single hour by me. It is not in my power to delay them, even were I so disposed.
They have been mustered into the service of the United States, and were in no manner under my control, as Mr. Stanton must perceive on a moment's reflection.
The Governor then goes on to show that there had been no delay whatever in forwarding those companies, but that they had been forwarded with the utmost despatch.
One of the reasons given by
Mr. Stanton for keeping them back was, that the
Governor had been disappointed in not procuring for them a regimental organization.
This he pronounced equally unfounded, but still insisted upon the justice of his request.
‘The regimental organization,’ he said, ‘is due to these companies and still more to our batteries in the field,—due to their accomplished officers, and necessary for their efficiency and usefulness.
It is given to every other State that asks it, even to those having many fewer companies than Massachusetts has in the field, and is denied only to us.’
In regard to
Major Cabot's battalion at
Fort Warren, he says,—
