headquarters Department of New England, Boston, Oct. 12, 1861.
Will ‘His Excellency Governor Andrew’ assign to General Butler the recruitment of a regiment of Massachusetts volunteers, and a squadron of mounted men, to be armed and equipped by him, under the authority of the President; the officers to be selected by General Butler, but commissioned by ‘His Excellency,’ with, of course, a veto power upon what may be deemed an improper selection.
As these officers are to go with General Butler upon duty, would ‘His Excellency’ think it improper he should exercise the power of recommendation?
To the telegram of the President, asking consent that the authorization should be given to General Butler to raise troops, ‘His Excellency’ telegraphed, in reply, that he would ‘aid’ General Butler to the utmost.
General Butler knows no way in which ‘His Excellency’ can aid him so effectually as in the manner proposed.
The selection by ‘His Excellency’ in advance, without consultation, of a colonel and lieutenant-colonel of an unformed regiment, not a soldier of which has been recruited by the State, and both these gentlemen, to whom the General, at present, knows no personal objection, being absent from the State on other duty, seems to him very objectionable.
It is not certain that Lieutenant Abbott, of the Topographical Engineers, will be permitted to leave his corps.
Colonel Everett has not lived in the State for many years, and has not such interest identified with the State, or the men of Massachusetts whom he would command, as to render his appointment desirable.
General Butler has had and can have the aid of neither in his regiments; and he believes that those who do the work, other things being equal, should have the offices.
General Butler would have been happy to have conferred with ‘His Excellency’ upon these and other points; but ‘His Excellency’ did not seem to desire it.
General Butler has proceeded upon this thesis in his recruitment, to say to all patriotic young men who seemed proper persons, and who have desired to enter the service as officers, If you have the confidence This text is part of:
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—one designated the Western Bay-State Regiment, the other the Eastern Bay-State Regiment; also, a battery of light artillery, and three companies of cavalry.
The only reply made to the letter of the 5th is the following, which is given entire:—
1868. E. P. DUtton and Co. Boston,.
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