Gen. Cowdin and the First Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers

A determined Massachusetts officer steps forward as the nation reels from the shock of Fort Sumter, offering his service and rallying volunteers to form a new regiment. He recounts the frantic scramble to assemble men, secure uniforms, and meet the state’s quota, while the bustling streets of Boston contribute generous funds and local civic pride. The narrative captures the early days of organization, the paperwork, and the hopeful resolve of a community eager to defend the Union.

Soon the officer finds himself navigating the tangled web of state and federal authorities, confronting a governor whose attention seems elsewhere and a War Department that issues vague directives. His appeals to General Scott and Secretary Cameron reveal the bureaucratic hurdles that stand between eager soldiers and the battlefield. Through candid letters and personal reflections, the account paints a vivid picture of perseverance amid political indifference, setting the stage for the regiment’s eventual march toward Washington.