أنت هنا
قراءة كتاب Gen. Cowdin and the First Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers
تنويه: تعرض هنا نبذة من اول ١٠ صفحات فقط من الكتاب الالكتروني، لقراءة الكتاب كاملا اضغط على الزر “اشتر الآن"
S. Volunteers.
On the 30th of September I was sworn into office as Brigadier-General of Volunteers, and immediately assigned to the 2d Brigade, Abercrombie’s Division, composed entirely of new troops, which I continued to drill and discipline until the 30th of March, when I was relieved of my command by the following order:—
Headquarters, Abercrombie’s Division,
Arlington House, Va., March 30, 1863.
General Order No. 13.
1. Brigadier-General Robert Cowdin is hereby relieved from the command of the 2d Brigade of this Division. Col. Burr Porter, 40th Mass. Vols., will assume command.
2. In parting with Brigadier-General Cowdin the General commanding the Division desires to compliment him on the efficiency to which the troops under his command have arrived. He feels assured that soldiers so well managed in camp would have been equally well led in the field, where he regrets that he must be deprived of General Cowdin’s valuable services.
By order of Brig.-Gen. Abercrombie.
J. A. SLIPPER, A. A. G.
Official.
C. H. Lawrence. A. A. G.
As the time for confirmation drew near, I had occasion to visit Washington on business for my Brigade, when I met a distinguished Senator, and I made inquiries of him concerning my case. He informed me that there was not the least doubt as to my confirmation, and that no name stood better before the Senate than mine. Another Senator also informed me that my name, with others, had been sent forward and canvassed, and not a single objection brought against it; and added, that I should receive every vote with possibly the exception of the two Massachusetts Senators. It appears, however, that there were a large number of politicians to be confirmed, many of whom had not seen a day of real service; therefore fighting men, who had seen nearly two years hard service, were set aside to make place for them.
The day after I was relieved of my command I received the following letters from my superior officers, Generals Heintzelman and Abercrombie:—
Headquarters, Department of Washington,
Washington, March 30, 1863.
Brigadier-General Robert Cowdin:—
General: I am happy to be able to say that after serving some time under my command both on the Peninsula and in the defences here commanding a Brigade, your conduct has merited my warm approbation.
Hoping to meet you again in service under more favorable circumstances,
I remain, yours truly,
S. P. HEINTZELMAN, Major-General.
Headquarters Arlington, April 1, 1863.
My dear General: In parting with you, I take this occasion to express my deep regret that so valuable an officer should be lost to this command, and at a time, too, when his services might prove of much importance, and aid very materially in the defence of the city against the threatened raid by the Rebels along the line of our defences. As evidence of your efficiency, I am satisfied there is not a Brigade under my command better calculated to do good services by its discipline and instruction than your own. I trust you may be restored to your command at an early day.
Your obedient servant,
J. J. ABERCROMBIE, Brig.-Gen.
Brig.-Gen. R. Cowdin, Washington, D. C.
On my returning home as a citizen, the people began to inquire the cause of it, when one of the senators called on several of the daily papers in this city, as I