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[591] most respectfully request your Excellency to give me a furlough for two weeks to visit our regiments and batteries at the front: I could then have the rolls made up to the first of the next month, and bring them home with me. I have not had ‘a leave of absence’ for over two years, and I should very much like to go out and take a view of our army, and see our men; it would also aid me in writing my next annual report. We have filled all our quotas, and the business of the office is not so pressing as it has been. If your Excellency approves of my suggestions, and will grant me a leave of absence, I will start for the army some time next week, and bring home with me the back rolls.

The leave asked for was granted. On his return from the army, the Adjutant-General made the following report to the Governor:—

Adjutant-General's office, Boston, Nov. 14, 1864.
To his Excellency John A. Andrew, Governor and Commander-in-chief.
Governor,—With your Excellency's permission, I left this city on the 18th of October, to visit our Massachusetts regiments and batteries in the field. I had been on duty at the State House almost without a day's relief for two years and a half: I now have the honor to report my experience during the three weeks I was absent. I left Boston by Fall River route for New York on the evening of the 18th ult., and arrived at the Astor House, New York, the next morning, where I had the pleasure of meeting Major-General Banks, who had recently arrived from the Department of the Gulf. There also was the body of Colonel George D. Wells, late of the Massachusetts Thirty-fourth Regiment, who had bravely fallen in battle; and kind friends were conveying it tenderly to its place of sepulture in the Old Bay State.

During the forenoon, I called at the headquarters of Major-General Dix, to ascertain what decision had been made in regard to having the forts on the coast garrisoned with one year's troops, whose terms of service were soon to expire. I had a pleasant interview with the General, and with Colonel Van Buren, his chief of staff, and was informed that authority had already been forwarded to your Excellency to recruit one year's companies as requested; and Colonel Van Buren caused a copy of the authority to be made out, which I forwarded that evening to Major Brown, assistant Adjutant-General.

On Thursday morning (Oct. 20), I met Brigadier-General Peirce, Inspector-General of the Commonwealth, who informed me that our Sixth Regiment had arrived in the city on its way home, its term of service being nearly completed, and that it was at the Battery


1868. E. P. DUtton and Co. Boston,.

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