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

‘ [124] bought?’ Governor to General John E. Wool, commanding Department of the East, New York: ‘I have garrisoned Fort Independence, on Castle Island, in Boston harbor, with a battalion of infantry of one hundred and fifty men; and shall have another battalion of the same strength in Fort Warren, on George's Island, on Monday morning. I have a third battalion, which I can station at Fort Winthrop; and there are from two to three thousand volunteers, whom I wish to place under drill and discipline, in these forts. In Fort Independence, there are none of the casemate guns mounted, and no barbette guns on the face which vessels entering the harbor approach. In Forts Warren and Winthrop there are no guns. This important harbor, therefore, seems to be almost entirely undefended. I would therefore request you to order Captain Rodman [Watertown Arsenal] to supply these forts with the guns and carriages necessary for their defence, and detail an officer of engineers to put the works in proper condition. If an officer of artillery could also be detailed to give the necessary instruction, the garrison would soon be able to use the guns with effect. Please give us the order for the guns and carriages at once.’ Governor to Governor Washburn, of Maine (telegram): ‘New York urges that Maine would hurry forward her men. We have parted with certain equipments to Mr. Blaine, the agent of your adjutant.’ Governor to Governor Fairbanks, of Vermont (telegram): ‘New York wants Vermont to hurry. The case is urgent. Your adjutant said that the three hundred muskets we let him have would finish equipment.’

April 27.—By direction of the Governor, Colonel Sargent, aide-de-camp, writes to Secretary Cameron, asking ‘to have the Irish Brigade, so called, sent to the forts to help man them and place the guns.’ Governor to General Wool, ‘Cannot you send us an officer of the United States army, with authority to superintend the military operations, and to give us some advice, from time to time, on military questions?’ By direction of the Governor, Colonel Browne, private secretary, writes to the Mayor of Boston, in reply to a letter of the day before, ‘Concerning the action of the city of Boston in reference to the subsistence of troops detailed to garrison the forts in the ’