Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Executive Department.

Boston, Aug 1^st 1862.

 

To Col. Francis J. Parker,

Comm^dg 32^nd Mass. Vol. Inft'y.

Boston.

                       

Colonel,

                                    Please oblige me by indicating the companies into which Messrs. Boyd and Robinson can be appointed. It will gratify me to commission them.

 

            If the Newton Company is detached from your regiment, I think it might be possible for you to find them places. That Company was not originally assigned to the 32^nd, and there was an imperative necessity to adopt the officers requested by the town of Newton.

 

            With the responsibility of deciding the various methods to be adopted in raising various companies, and of appointing both company officers and field / and Staff officers for our volunteers, with all the cares and troubles incidental to raising troops and accommodating and conciliating, and some times contending against, influences, military, popular and general; and with the duty & the desire, constantly with me, to sacrifice everything—myself first,—to the great and ultimate common good,—I always act with the confident assumption that the commanders of all our corps will heartily sustain my final decisions. They cannot always think I am correct,—from their own point of view, but they would think so, standing at my own. My earnest desire is that you will remain, while the war lasts, at the head of the 32^nd Regt.; and I beg to add that all your views have received and always will receive the most cordial and respectful regard and consideration.

 

            In regard to Capt. Stephenson, I am from my own point of view pretty clear about my duty. If his service of the country is conditional upon compelling me to adopt his personal wishes in the stead of my own convictions, I am obliged to regret it, but I do not perceive how I can properly prevent it.

                                                                                   

I am faithfully and sincerely Yours,

John A. Andrew

 

[endorsement]

 

Gov Andrew

Aug 1.1862

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