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

[265] of your neighbors, so that you can recruit a given number of men, then by giving evidence of your energy and capacity thus far, if you are found fit in other respects, on examination, I will recommend you for a commission to command the number of men you shall raise.

This is believed to be a course much better calculated to find officers than to hunt for them by the uncertain light of petitions and recommendations.

General Butler desires to make good his word to these young gentlemen. ‘His Excellency’ will perceive the impossibility of at once furnishing a roster under such circumstances, as requested, for ‘His Excellency's’ perusal.

‘His Excellency's’ attention is called to the fact that no reply has been received to General Butler's request, as to a squadron of mounted men.

General Butler is informed, by the returns of those who have recruited for him, that he has already a number of men equal to two regiments in such progress that they can be organized, being the most prompt recruitment ever done in this State,—these besides the Twenty-sixth and Twenty-eighth Regiments, assigned to him by general order.

General Butler trusts that ‘His Excellency’ will not, without the utmost necessity for it, throw any obstacles in the way of his recruitment, as General Butler is most anxious to get his division organized, so as to start upon an expedition already planned, in the service of his country.

General Butler hopes that these views will meet ‘His Excellency's’ concurrence and co-operation.

Most respectfully ‘His Excellency's’ obedient servant,