William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 1

[134] “Empire State.” The ‘Metropolis’ is laid up, and will not be ready for two or three days. Application has also been made from New York. I write for the purpose of posting you in regard to the operations of our neighboring States. The gentleman stated that Governor Sprague intended to have the Rhode-Island troops in Washington in advance of any other State in New England; and I have an ambition to see the Massachusetts men there as soon as “Little Rhody's,” —sooner, if possible. If they can get the “Empire State,” they intend to leave Providence Thursday, at twelve o'clock.

The ‘Empire State’ was chartered by Governor Sprague, but the Rhode-Island troops did not get to Washington first. The following extracts from letters received by the Adjutant-General show in part the patriotic feeling which inspired the people:—

April 15.—Charles Bowers, of Concord, writes, ‘Believing most fervently in the doctrine vindicated at “the Old North Bridge” in 1775, that resistance to tyrants is obedience to God, in this hour of our country's peril I offer my poor services in her defence. If you can assign me to any position, however humble, where I can do any thing for freedom and the right, I will hasten to the post in your command.’ The writer went out lieutenant in the Concord company attached to the Fifth Regiments. He was afterwards captain in the Thirty-second Regiment, and served through the war. Rev. B. F. De Costa writes, ‘I hereby tender my services as chaplain for any of the forces now called into service by the State. I should be glad to accompany any regiment to the capital or elsewhere, and cheerfully endure with them the hardships of the campaign.’ Mr. De Costa was appointed and commissioned chaplain of the Fifth Regiment. A. A. Marsh, of Cincinnati, Ohio, telegraphs, ‘I wish you would let me know if you can buy ten six-pounder rifled field-pieces ready for use, and at what price, and when we can get them. We want them for use here, for the protection of this city. Telegraph the price.’ General George H. Devereux, of Salem, writes, ‘I earnestly hope that the General Government will go into this contest with the olive branch frankly and cordially displayed in one hand, offering every reasonable opportunity to avoid the dreadful alternative of a civil war with our own countrymen. But, if war must come, ’