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[308]
“You cannot have him,” answered the governor.
“Do you know anything against him?”
“That is enough; I do not want anybody to enter the war for the Union who holds such sentiments.”
“But I do want exactly that kind of men to compose my command.”
I then named over the colonels and officers — for their names had not yet been made public,--whose appointments I had secured from the governors of the other States, and told him that the other governors had made no objection.
Governor Andrew was very much astonished.
“And Governor,” I added, “I want you to recommend the Hon. Caleb Cushing, who was president of the Charleston convention, as a brigadier-general to go with me into war.”
“He is a friend of Jeff Davis,” was the reply.
“Yes,” I said, “and immediately after the firing upon Sumter he put himself in his speech at Newburyport wholly on the side of the Union.”
“Well,” said the governor, “I certainly shall not do that.”
“Oh, well,” I said, “I know he some time ago called you a one-idea'd abolitionist, and that was true, although it was not a pleasant thing to say. But certainly his ability and his position in the country would seem to entitle him to the place if he would take it, and I think he will.”
“But I will not appoint French, and I will not appoint any other officer of his way of thinking in a Massachusetts regiment.”
“Very well, Governor, I shall appoint him, on the authority given me by the President, and he will recruit a regiment.”
“He won't if I can help it.”
“He will, Governor, if he can with my help.”
Thereupon I left him, and although I called upon him once afterwards, I never saw him again to confer with him until the campaign was over.
He immediately came out with various orders in the newspapers, abusing me and my enterprise of recruitment.
I went to Washington and saw the President and General Scott, and in order that I might not be overruled by any military order of Governor Andrew as commander-in-chief of the Massachusetts militia, I asked for the
A. M. Thayer and Co. 1892.
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