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been ordered to furnish five new regiments for General Sherman, he had promised the General he should have them, he had nearly completed a part of them, when, without consultation or previous knowledge, this paper, prepared in the War Office at Washington, and signed by the Secretary, was issued, placing all the troops in New England under the command of Major-General Butler, and as many more as he might ‘judge fit’ for his purpose.
Four days after Mr. Cameron had written the paper just quoted, Special Order No. 78 was issued from the War Department.
This order was easy of comprehension, and in strict accordance with the acts of Congress; but it was in direct conflict with the paper signed by Mr. Cameron four days before.
Upon its receipt, Governor Andrew directed the Adjutant-General of the Commonwealth to issue General Order No. 23, which enumerated the regiments and batteries then being recruited in the State, and the camps at which they were stationed.
It also said, that ‘until they were filled, no recruiting, except for these regiments and batteries, is authorized, or can be encouraged, by the Commander-in-chief.’
After quoting the preceding order of the War Department, signed by General Thomas, it proceeds to say, ‘The Commander-in-chief directs that no new regiments or companies be formed, or ordered into camp, nor any already in camp change their location, without orders from these headquarters.’
Although the order restricted recruiting for new regiments except those designated, it allowed and encouraged recruiting for
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