‘He was,’ said the Governor, ‘originally a member of our bar, of the best education and culture, and became, on my accession to office, my senior aide-de-camp, helping to inaugurate the difficult work of the first year of the war; in which capacity he attached me warmly by his attractive qualities as a gentleman, and won my admiration by his talents, devotedness to duty, his personal fidelity, and manly character. He was subsequently lieutenant-colonel, and then colonel, of the First Massachusetts Cavalry, in which he saw much active service in the field. He was severely wounded in the Louisiana campaign, received the brevet rank of brigadier-general of volunteers, and has been honorably discharged from the service by reason of his wounds. I heartily commend General Sargent to the President for any position where the qualities of a strong and cultivated mind, a dauntless will, and a tireless capacity for work, are wanted.’We take pleasure in presenting this letter to our readers, because it speaks only the plain and simple truth of a gentleman with whom we were associated on the staff of Governor Andrew, and also of that of his predecessor, Governor Banks, and whose acquaintance and friendship we greatly esteem. We believe that it was written without the knowledge of General Sargent, and that he is not now aware of its existence. On the 16th of January, Edward Everett, one of the most distinguished citizens of the nation, died in the city of Boston, after a short illness. The sudden death of this illustrious man, whose whole life had reflected honor upon his native State and his country, caused a profound sensation. His speeches during the war kept alive and invigorated the loyal spirit and purpose of the people. On the 17th of January, the Governor telegraphed to Senator Sumner as follows:—
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which, through the active exertions of Surgeon-General Dale, was the means of doing incalculable good.
On the 14th of January, the Governor wrote to the President recommending the appointment to the office of second assistant Secretary of War—an office which had just been created by an act of Congress—Brigadier-General Horace Binney Sargent.
In doing so, he paid the following well-merited compliment to that brave and gallant officer:—
1868. E. P. DUtton and Co. Boston,.
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