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

[346] I do not see how a change can now be made. We are sadly in want of men; and I sincerely hope that there will be no delay in getting your quota: you have no idea of the great and important demand there is for them.

We have quoted from letters written by the Adjutant-General, in the three days immediately succeeding the issuing of General Order No. 26, to show the activity which prevailed in his department, and in the cities and towns of the Commonwealth, to obtain recruits, and fill the contingent of fifteen thousand men, assigned to this State. This activity increased, and the feelings of the people intensified, until the men were recruited. To facilitate recruiting, and accommodate the people in the extreme western part of the State, a camp of rendezvous was established in Pittsfield, which was named ‘Camp Briggs,’ in honor of Colonel Briggs, of the Tenth Regiment, —a native of Berkshire, and a citizen of Pittsfield, who had distinguished himself in the battles before Richmond, in one of which he was severely wounded. He was appointed by the President a brigadier-general of volunteers; and, after recovering from his wounds, served to the end of the war.

As evidence of the activity with which the people entered into the business of recruiting, and the success which attended it, it may be noted that, within two months from the day General Order No. 26 was issued, upwards of four thousand men had been recruited for the old regiments at the seat of war, and sent forward to the front. Four new companies to complete the Thirty-second Regiment, and nine new regiments, had been filled to the maximum, and completely organized, and fully equipped; and eight of them had left the State, and entered upon active duty. The three companies for the Thirty-second Regiment left the State Aug. 20; the Thirty-third Regiment, Colonel Maggi, Aug. 11; the Thirty-fourth, Colonel Wells, Aug. 12; the Thirty-fifth, Colonel Wild, Aug. 22; The Thirty-sixth, Colonel Bowman, Aug. 31; the Thirty-seventh, Colonel Edwards, Sept. 5; the Thirty-eighth, Colonel Ingraham, Aug. 24; the Thirty-ninth, Colonel Davis, Sept. 6; the Fortieth, Lieutenant-Colonel Dalton, Sept. 8. All of these regiments were ordered to report to the Adjutant-General of the army, at Washington.