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considerably, and we understand by the telegram that there is great urgency for haste in getting troops to Washington.”
The governor said: “What shall we do?”
Oliver answered: “We shall have to call a meeting of the legislature, and get an appropriation, but that will delay matters considerably.
Perhaps we can use our current income.”
“Governor,” said I, “I was aware of this condition of things, and I can remedy it. Coming down in the cars, I saw President Carney of the Bank of Mutual Redemption, and he has authorized me to say that fifty thousand dollars of the funds of that bank is at the disposal of the Commonwealth, and that the other banks will answer drafts to that amount, and he recommends that I be selected as the brigadier to take command.
Here is his letter.”
Oliver said:--
“Well, Governor, as General Butler has found the means to go, I think he ought to go.”
“I don't know but he had,” said the governor; “I will take it into consideration.”
I believed then that the matter the governor wanted to consider was whether it would do to send me, I having been the Breckenridge candidate against him at his election.
Later in the day I received the detail.
With the leave of the governor, I established my headquarters in a room in the State House, and from that time the business of organizing and getting the troops ready to go forward was turned over to me.
Meanwhile, a direction came from Washington to send two regiments to Fortress Monroe, which was supposed to be threatened by the Confederates in Virginia.
Indeed, a battery had then been commenced on the shore of Hampton Creek, opposite the fort, and a very curious letter was written to Colonel Dimmick, who was in command, which I saw afterwards, asking if the ladies of Hampton threw up a battery there, whether he would fire upon them while doing the work.
That puzzled the gallant old colonel, as he told me, but he returned an answer in substance, that he could not allow anybody to erect a battery within the reach of the guns of Fortress Monroe, but that he would refer the matter to Washington.
Transportation being furnished by water for the troops, the Third and Fourth Regiments sailed, one on the 17th of April, and one on
A. M. Thayer and Co. 1892.
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