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

[228] was the payment in cash, by the Government, of seven hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars. An elaborate and carefully matured system was also devised for the adoption and payment, by the Federal Government, of future contracts for military stores. These gentlemen were furnished with letters by the Governor to the President and members of the Cabinet.

Aug. 31.—Governor telegraphs Colonel Frank E. Howe, New York, ‘Find George S. Greene, late of the United-States Engineer Corps, and see if he will take command of a Massachusetts regiment.’ On the same day, the Governor wrote a letter to the Secretary of War, in regard to the high prices paid for provisions by the Government here, and concerning dishonest practices in the purchase of shoes; and, at his request, Senator Wilson, who was at the State House, sent the following telegram to the Secretary: ‘Pay especial attention to a letter you will receive from Governor Andrew and the Commissary-General of Massachusetts (Colonel Brigham), relative to the cost of rations here to the United-States troops. The Government is paying much more than the State does for the same article. It is reported here, on good authority, that army shoes condemned by inspectors in New York are sold again to contractors, who are permitted to fill their contracts with them. A competent inspector should be appointed here, to see that comdemned shoes are not sold again.’

Sept. 2.—Governor wrote to Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania,—

I have read, with great interest and pleasure, the copy of your communication of the 21st ult. to the President of the United States, which you were kind enough to send me, and in which you have so thoroughly exposed the evils resulting from the interference of the War Department with the regular, legal mode of organizing regiments of volunteers.

In common with Pennsylvania, Massachusetts has suffered much loss of enthusiasm, and great inconvenience, from those irregularities of which you so justly complain: but I trust we may congratulate ourselves, that this source of trouble is to be dried up at the fountain-head; as I have received the most positive assurance from the Secretary of War, that, in future, no outside interference with the regularly constituted