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

April 22.—The Governor telegraphs to the Superintendent of the Springfield Armory, ‘Can you send me to-night a first-rate armorer, who is a judge of arms, ready to go where he may be wanted for six weeks?’ A first-rate armorer, Charles McFarland, was procured, who went abroad with Mr. Crowninshield, two days after, to purchase arms. Governor acknowledges receipt of a check for five hundred dollars from George Draper, ‘to be appropriated for the relief of the families of those who have fallen or may fall in obeying the call of their country.’ Gives a letter to Rev. N. Shepard, pastor of the Tremont-Street Baptist Church, who said he should ‘start for Washington this evening, if he had to walk all the way.’ Acknowledges the receipt from William Dehon of eighty-eight flannel shirts ‘for the soldiers of Massachusetts who may be unprovided for in the present emergency.’ Requests S. G. Ward, of Boston, banker, ‘to issue a letter of credit in favor of F. B. Crowninshield for fifty thousand pounds sterling.’ Telegraphs Simeon Draper, New York, that Mr. Crowninshield ‘will be at Fifth Avenue Hotel to-night, to take steamer “Persia” for Liverpool on Wednesday.’ Writes to General Butler, that ‘the citizens of Salem have appointed Dr. Lincoln R. Stone to attend to the wants of the companies that have marched from that city, and that he would see that the funds raised by subscription for that purpose may be properly expended.’ Writes to President Lincoln, that ‘Ex-Governor Boutwell has been appointed the agent of the Commonwealth to proceed to Washington to confer with him in regard to the forts in Massachusetts and the militia.’ Governor Boutwell was also to see General Wool in New York. Instructs Mr. Crowninshield ‘that he is to procure twenty-five thousand stand of arms, of the best style and patterns, and to have them conform as nigh as possible to those now in use in the army.’ He was to co-operate with agents from other loyal States, and to look out if agents of disloyal States were abroad on a similar errand. Writes to Secretary Cameron, that Ex-Governor Boutwell will