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Mr. Rand also visited the camp of the Twenty-eighth Massachusetts Infantry, who were encamped near the cavalry.
The camp was kept clean, and the general health of the men good, for which, he says,—
Much praise is due to the skilful and attentive surgeon, Dr. O'Connell, for his faithful discharge of duty, his care of the men; and perhaps the highest praise will be found in the fact that in the hospital were but four patients, all convalescent.
Dr. Henry I. Bowditch, of
Boston, who also had a son, an officer, in the regiment, visited the regiment about the same time.
On his return, the
Governor requested him to state, in writing, his opinion in regard to the regiment, and upon the general question of the best way to preserve the health of the soldiers on duty in the extreme Southern States.
Of the condition of the regiment, he fully confirms the favorable report of it made by
Mr. Rand.
He says,—
The drills are actively carried out, and the highest officers in the army agree that, at times, they are equal to any in the regular cavalry.
Three times a week, the colonel has recitations, at which the highest principles of military tactics are enforced.
To sum up my opinion in one sentence: I have very near and dear relatives, and many young friends, in that regiment; I should greatly regret, if, from any cause, any of them should be compelled to leave the service of such a commander.
Colonel Williams, at the time of his appointment, was a captain of cavalry,
U. S.A. He was a graduate of
West Point, and distinguished as a cavalry officer.
He was a Virginian by birth, but never hesitated which was the path of duty for him to tread.
He was a strict disciplinarian, but he was kind to his men. During the last two years of the war,
Colonel Williams was assistant adjutant-general of the army, and was brevetted brigadier-general, for brave and meritorious services.
John Quincy Adams, who was appointed on the personal staff of the
Governor to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of
Colonel Horace Binney Sargent, who was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the First Massachusetts Cavalry,
