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of seven hundred dollars ($700). Having recently received three thousand dollars ($3,000) from an American citizen abroad, to use for the relief of sick and wounded soldiers and their families at my discretion, I devoted one thousand dollars ($1,000) of it to this purpose, and gave our friend, Mr. Forbes, a check for that amount.
I knew but little of the subject, save that I knew your brother was interested in the matter.
His name is good evidence always in Massachusetts.
Among the gentlemen of
Boston who took an early and earnest interest in furnishing the military contingent of
Massachusetts, in their donations for the maintenance and support of soldiers' families, was
Amos A. Lawrence, a well-known and distinguished merchant.
He was particularly active and efficient in raising the Second Regiment of Cavalry, and received from the
Governor, Jan. 19, a letter of acknowledgment for his generous and efficient services, in which appears the following paragraph:—
And in respect to the project for confirming the intellectual ascendency of Massachusetts by inaugurating a system of university education in advance of the other States, and which shall be to them a model, I learn with pleasure that the views I had the honor to express in my late address to the Legislature are confirmed by your respected judgment and extensive experience.
On the 1st of January, 1863, our regiments and batteries in the Army of the Potomac were, after a year's hard fighting in winter quarters, divided only by the
Rappahannock from the rebel forces.
Major-General Joseph Hooker had succeeded
Generals McClellan and
Burnside in command.
For his qualities as a strategetical and brave general, great hopes of success were entertained.
He was popular with the army, and had in a remarkable degree the confidence of the people.
He was an especial favorite of
Governor Andrew, and of the soldiers of
Massachusetts.
He had succeeded in having the army newly clothed and armed; he had improved the commissariat; and, by his efforts, the soldiers had received their back pay.
On the 26th of January,
Governor Andrew wrote
General Hooker a confidential letter, in which he congratulated him upon his appointment to the command of the Army of the
