Summary:
United States Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas writes Secretary of War Edwin
Stanton in November, 1862, concerning efforts to raise Pennsylvania regiments.
He discusses opposition to placing drafted men in existing regiments, and
mentions rendezvous camps at Chambersburg.
Hon. E. M. STANTON:
HARRISBURG, PA.,
November 1, 1862--6 p. m.
(Received 7 p. m.)
Arrived here at 2 p. m. and had an interview with the Governor, who does not approve of filling the old regiments with the drafted men, believing it their right to elect their own officers and have distinct organizations. He fears I will meet with difficulty in carrying out your order, but says he will render me every assistance, and hopes I may succeed. I shall as far as possible fill regiments raised in any locality with the drafted men from that locality, which will be satisfactory to the men. The principal places of rendezvous are Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Pittsburg, with the minor camps at Reading, York, Gettysburg, and Chambersburg. The number to be collected here and at the minor camps is about 20,500. Only 8,000 of the 12,000 for this place have as yet arrived. I judge Gen. McClellan has few or no spare arms, and arms should be sent here. A partial supply might be sent until I can obtain more definite information. There is an ample supply of clothing here.
L. THOMAS,
Adjutant-Gen. U. S. Army.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 3, Volume 2, Serial No. 123, Pages 714, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
