Summary:
Union Army Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas writes Secretary of War Edwin Stanton in December, 1862, concerning new regiments of drafted men. Thomas comments on the last new regiment to leave Chambersburg. He believes it will be the most efficient, since it is commanded by a regular army officer, Colonel McKibbin.

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Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:

HARRISBURG, PA.,

December 13, 1862.

All the organized drafted men have left this State. I saw the last regiment leave Chambersburg yesterday, and this regiment, I think, will prove to be the most efficient. It is commanded by Col. McKibbin, an officer of the Regular Army, who has already distinguished himself. He is a fine soldier, untiring in his efforts, and I would like to see his regiment placed in the field. The two companies for Cockeysville are here, being armed and equipped, and will be placed in position on Monday morning. Gen. Wool desires a regiment for provost duty; this can soon be organized from the drafted men now coming in. All drafted men will be sent to Camp Curtin for organization, except those arriving at Philadelphia to be organized there for the regiment desired by Gen. Wool. I have called for reports, to show the number of drafted men made available. This accomplished, I might close my duties here. To collect the balance of the drafted men the appointment of provost-marshal will be necessary, and with a provost guard many stragglers can be arrested and sent to their regiments.

L. THOMAS,
Adjutant-Gen.

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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 946, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.