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

[262] own opinion, however, he asks the General to forward a roster of company officers for the regiment he wishes to raise, and ‘he would authorize a new regiment to begin in a week from Monday next, under Captain Henry L. Abbott (of Massachusetts), of the United States Topographical Engineers, for colonel; and Charles Everett, late colonel of District of Columbia Volunteers, formerly serving in Mexico, or Major Francis Brinley, for lieutenant-colonel; the major to be seasonably selected.’

The Governor disclaims any knowledge of recruiting officers offering private bounties, and asks that the names of such persons may be sent to him, ‘that the more speedy and vigilant measures for suppression and rebuke may be instituted.’ In the matter of recruiting and organizing regiments, the Governor says, ‘We have pursued a system, carefully, watchfully, faithfully, and zealously, in which, by the intelligent aid and loyal co-operation of all officers, of the State and of the Union, who have had any connection with such matters here, we have found reason to trust. In fact, almost any system is better than none.’ After stating that Massachusetts had already forwarded sixteen regiments of infantry, and other troops, to the front, he continues,—

We are, at this very moment, doing half as much more, and doing it with the utmost of our ability; and we have thus far escaped the confusion and uncertainty of movement which have embarrassed some other States, and from which, with much effort, their Governors have only just now escaped. Now, with the utmost respect for the Department of War, and for yourself personally, and with the most loyal sentiments of obedience, I mean to continue to do just what I have, from the first, persistently done; and that is, to hold, with an iron hand and unswerving purpose, all the powers which, by the laws, pertain to me officially, in my own grasp,—yielding the most implicit obedience, in all things, to those having the right to direct me, but, at the same time, remembering that true subordination requires every officer to perform his own duties and fulfil his own functions himself, as well as to submit himself loyally to his superiors.

He then refers to the laws of Congress and the orders of the department, which give to the Governors of States the exclusive