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

On the 2d of August, the Governor received from Major-General Hooker the following letter, dated Harrison's Landing, James River, Va., July 29; the same being in answer to one written on the 24th, by Governor Andrew:—

The fate of Major Chandler is still involved in mystery. I have heard of his having been in Richmond, and also of his having been seen on his way to Boston; but, in tracing up these reports, I regret to say, that I have not been able to satisfy myself that he is still numbered with the living. I may also add, that this is the opinion of his regiment.

Major Chandler was a young gentleman of much promise. He was major of the First Regiment, and was killed at one of the battles before Richmond. His body never was found, nor was any information ever received concerning him after it was ascertained he was missing. He went into battle with his regiment, and never returned. His simple epitaph might be, ‘He lived and died for his country.’

Some time in June or July, the Surgeon-General of the army established military hospitals at different posts for the accommodation of the sick and wounded, and issued rigid orders against their removal to their homes. These orders caused great dissatisfaction among the families of the sick and wounded soldiers, who asked that their suffering sons, husbands, and brothers might be released from army hospitals, and cared for at their homes. These orders, for a time, were very unpopular, and had a prejudicial effect upon recruiting. We find, on the files of the Governor, the Adjutant-General, and Surgeon-General, a great many letters, complaining of these arbitrary and ‘cruel orders,’ from persons whose relatives, wounded and sick, were retained in the hospitals, and refused transportation to their homes. Many letters were written the State officials; and the Governor sent Colonel Frank E. Howe to Washington, ‘for the purpose of attempting to procure some mitigation of the rigor of the present system.’ The system, however, remained in force; and, like other usages of war, the people acquiesced in them as among the severities required for the good of the cause.