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General Andrews, here spoken of, was one of the first volunteer officers in the war, having been commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the Second Massachusetts Infantry, May 24, 1861.
He was afterwards commissioned colonel of that regiment, and served with distinction to the end of the
Rebellion.
He is now the United-States Marshal of
Massachusetts.
Charles O. Green, one of the selectmen of
Shrewsbury, wrote to the
Governor for authority to have the remains of a soldier who had fallen in battle brought home for interment.
On the 3d of February, the
Governor wrote to
Mr. Green that he had no authority in the matter, and said,—
My own inclination with regard to those of my friends who have fallen in this war is to have them rest on the fields where they fell.
There is no other place of burial for them more congenial to their repose or to my feelings.
But if the feelings of others are different, and if it would lessen the grief of a parent to have the remains of a son removed from the battle-field to the churchyard near his New-England home, I would be the last person to interpose any obstacle, not warranted in reason, to the satisfaction of her desire.
In the month of February,
Surgeon-General Dale was appointed by the
Governor superintendent of the
State agencies, so far as they related to the care of sick and wounded soldiers; and the agents were directed to correspond directly with him on those subjects, and to forward to him from time to time their accounts of disbursements, expenses, &c., to be audited and adjusted at his office.
This arrangement relieved the
Governor of considerable labor and care, and, at the same time, added materially to the duties and responsibilities of the
Surgeon-General.
On the 2d of March, the
Governor wrote to the
Surgeon-General thus:—
There are three couriers employed under my authority, to have personal care and charge of our soldiers, particularly those sick and wounded, en route between Washington and New York.
This system was established by me some time ago, on consultation with our various State agents, particularly those at New York and Washington.
The compensation allowed by the
State to these men was one hundred dollars a month; a sum most wisely and humanely
