Summary:
Union General Robert Patterson writes Colonel Edward D. Townsend in May, 1861,
concerning the outfitting and deploying of new regiments. He mentions several
regiments located, in varying states of readiness, at Chambersburg.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA,
Col. E. D. TOWNSEND,
A. A. G., Headquarters of the
Army, Washington City:
Philadelphia, Pa.,
May 23 1861.
SIR:
In compliance with verbal intimation from the Gen.-in-Chief, I present for his information in tabular form the locations of the regiments now in this department; the condition of their equipment, accouterments, clothing, &c., and the probable time they can be put in motion, fully equipped. The probable time is based on the accompanying statement from the commander of Frankford Arsenal, to which I respectfully refer. I also call attention to the offer herewith of the quartermaster-general of this State. With his aid six regiments can be thrown into the field as rapidly as the accouterments can be distributed, say Monday. Without his assistance (accepted by telegraph through me) the term of service of some of the regiments will expire before they are equipped, or they will be provided at so distant a day that new shoes and other clothing will have to be issued, unless accouterments are provided outside of this department. Col. Hale offers some four thousand sets. I am anxious to forward the views of the Gen.-in-Chief and to execute his designs, and will be much gratified to have the means of putting in the field regiments well drilled and desirous of seeing service. If desirable, they can be sent forward without accouterments,but without them the men lack confidence in each other and inflict severe injuries.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. PATTERSON,
Maj.-Gen., Commanding.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 2, Serial No. 2, Pages 646-647, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
