Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

“ [162] adjutant-general should be instructed to have this proceeding taken at once, but with great secrecy. In my brigade, I will see that the order is fully executed, and I will report to you when the brigade is ready to march. I hope that you will ask the legislature in secret session,--because we don't want to show any alarm,--to provide you with an emergency fund out of which these necessary articles can be procured.”

He was somewhat incredulous, and thought I was unnecessarily moved. I told him it would do no harm to equip our soldiers properly, and also to ascertain their readiness and willingness to march, as it might do great harm not to have them in full readiness, since it was the firm belief of many in the South that a portion of our soldiers would not fight.

I had several interviews with Governor Andrew upon these topics at his suggestion, and on the 16th of January General Order No. 4 was issued in the words following:--

headquarters, Boston, January 16, 1861.
General Order No. 4.

Events which have recently occurred, and are now in progress, require that Massachusetts should be at all times ready to furnish her quota of troops upon any requisition of the President of the United States to aid in the maintenance of the laws and the peace of the Union. His excellency the commander-in-chief therefore orders:

That the commanding officer of each company of volunteer militia examine with care the roll of his company, and cause the name of each member, together with his rank and place of residence, to be properly recorded and a copy of the same to be forwarded to the office of the adjutant-general. Previous to which commanders of companies shall make strict inquiry whether there are men in their commands who, from age, physical defect, business or family causes, may be unable or indisposed to respond at once to the orders of the commander-in-chief made in response to the call of the President of the United States; that they be forthwith discharged, so that their places may-be filled by men ready for any public exigency which may arise, whenever called upon.

That order was distributed to the commanders of the militia. It came to Lowell, and our enlisted men and their arms and equipments were examined, and the questions embraced in the order were put to every man. Col. Edward F. Jones, in command of the Sixth