Gen. Cowdin and the First Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers

In the early days of the Civil War, a Boston businessman turned soldier steps forward to offer his services and a fledgling company of volunteers to protect the Union capital. He recounts his swift response to Governor Andrew after Fort Sumter fell, the hurried assembly of ten companies, and the city’s generous financial support that equipped his men in uniforms and gear. The narrative follows his journey from the State House to Washington, where he meets General Scott and the Secretary of War, only to be caught in a maze of conflicting orders.

Through candid letters and personal reflections, he details the frustration of waiting for arms, the indifference of officials, and the resolve of his officers who voted unanimously to volunteer for three years. His account reveals the gritty reality of raising a regiment—balancing civic duty, business sacrifice, and the political tug‑of‑war that shaped the early Union army. Listeners gain a rare glimpse of the bureaucratic hurdles and heartfelt commitment that defined the first Massachusetts volunteers, setting the stage for the battles to come.