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

Colonel William Raymond Lee, who had commanded with distinguished bravery and skill the Twentieth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, and who was brevetted brigadier-general for brave and meritorious services, was forced by ill health, and much against his will, to resign his commission, Dec. 17, 1862; and was commissioned by Governor Andrew chief engineer, with the rank of brigadier-general, Oct. 27, 1863, on the Governor's staff. General Lee was a graduate of West Point, and one of the best engineer officers in the Commonwealth. We find on the files of the Governor several reports made by this gentleman in regard to our fortifications and coast defences, accompanied by diagrams, showing his great skill as a draughtsman, an officer of comprehensive mind, and thorough knowledge of military defences, and, we may add, of innate modesty. Some of these reports would make forty pages of this volume; and we venture to assert, that in the archives of no other State, nor in the War Department at Washington, can there be found papers showing greater knowledge of military engineering, and a more comprehensive grasp of the subject of coast defences, either in regard to fortifications, ordnance, or the construction of iron-clads, superior, or even of equal ability, to those contained in these reports of General Lee to the Governor of this Commonwealth.

But while the Governor, his personal staff, and the different departments connected with the war, were devoting their entire energies continually to providing suitable defences for the coast of Massachusetts, and recruiting men for new regiments, and to fill the depleted ranks of our veteran commands in the field, surmounting obstacles, overcoming prejudice which at times seemed almost insurmountable, borne down with cares and labor of nearly three years of incessant war, the political elements of the State remained active.

On the 3d of September, the Democratic party held a State convention at Worcester, to which were invited not only delegates of the Democratic party, but those from other citizens disposed to co-operate with them. The convention was very large, and opposition to the national Administration had been strengthened and intensified. The active and energetic