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Washington D.C.

January 20^th 1862

 

General

                        In accordance with your suggestion I have the honor to submit the following statement

 

                        In the month of November 1861 an order was issued from the War department, giving authority to the Governor of Massachusetts to raise a battalion of infantry, composed of two companies, to be commanded by a Major as a garrison for Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, but liable to be ordered to any other duty. During the month of December upon requisition from Col Dimick 1^st Artil^y Comd^g the Post, informal orders were issued allowing an increase of the Battalion & it now consists of five full companies mustered into the service of the U States, & commanded by Major Francis J Parker. Authority to add a sixth company has been granted & that company is now nearly full & will report at Fort Warren within a few days. In the opinion of Col Dimick & of the Major Comd^g, the battalion is composed of remarkably good material. The men are native born & unusually intelligent, soldierly 

 

On the 11^th of December I was commissioned by the Gov of Mass "1^st Lieut & Adjutant in the 1^st Batt Infy MV" & on the 18^th I was mustered into the service of the U.S. by John M Ames, Capt 11^th Infy & Mustering Officer. On the 19^th of that month I reported for duty to Col Dimick & to the Major Comd^g the Battⁿ & have acted by their order as Adjutant of the Battalion since that date. Previously to my appointment a commission was issued by the Governor appointing a 1^st Lieut & Qr Master in the 1^st Battⁿ. He also was mustered into the service of the U.S. & is now acting as Qr Master to the Battⁿ & also as Post Quarter Master.

 

                        I now learn that there is grave doubt whether the Governor had the legal power to commission the two extra lieutenants in the Battⁿ & I have the honor respectfully to request that in consideration of the difficulty arising in the case & also in consideration of other & more general reasons, to be hereinafter stated that you will use your influence to obtain a special order declaring the Battalion a Regimental organization.

 

If such an order should be granted the Adjt & Qr Master would retain their commissions by virtue of General Order No 78 dated Sept 11^th 1861. The new regimental organization need not in that case be increased to a full Regiment unless by order of the / War Department. It is greatly desired by the Major Comd^g & by the officers of the battalion that this change should be made, as the organization could then be more rapidly increased to a full regiment & sent to any point where it might be needed. The Major Comd^g will find it inconvenient to detail two lieutenants from the company officers to fill the place of Adjt & Qr Master. He thinks it doubtful whether he can find among his lieutenants one who would fill the place of battalion & post Quartermaster as satisfactorily as at present. The number of prisoners at the post requires that the guard detail should be unusually large & demands the full amount of Officers & men now there. The officers have been drilled in Artillery practice & are now teaching the men both artillery & infantry drill & the Battalion will soon be valuable available either as heavy artillery or as infantry. It will be seen from this statement that the time of the company officers is fully occupied in their ordinary duties & that the detail of two of their number would be inconvenient. Allow me in conclusion to suggest that as the Adjt & Qr Master already appointed have given up their business & have incurred considerable expense for their outfit & have already been some weeks in service, the order solicited would relieve them from serious embarrassment & that it would increase the expenses of the battalion only by the pay of two 1^st Lieuts.

                                                                       

I have the honor to be

Very Respt^y Yr obt servant

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