uld be ready for me when I started, but they were never furnished me,
and the Regiment left without them. On Saturday, the 15th, my wagons,
horses, and camp equipage were transferred to the cars, and at half-past
four o'clock we broke camp and started for Boston. Just before leaving, a
letter, from one of his Excellency's Council, was handed me, of which the
following is a copy:--

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,
_Executive Department, Council Chamber,
Boston, June 14, 1861._

COL. ROBERT COWDIN:--

DEAR SIR: I hear very bad reports about your Regiment, and it gives
me great trouble, as an old friend of yours. I understand that you
are very much wanting in order, discipline, and dignity, and that the
men and officers pay but little attention to rules and orders, and
the Regiment is more like a mob than a camp, and unless you are more
rigid and strict in enforcing military discipline and order, you will
make a failure. I hope and trust that you will change your course, or
you will, I fear, disgrace your name and State.

Yours truly,
OAKES AMES.

As I was blamed considerably at the time for giving my men so long a
march, I will in justice to myself say, that I halted twice on the route
from Cambridge to the Common, and had them wear their overcoats for the
reasons that the knapsacks were so narrow and small that the coats could
not be properly packed, and that some of the uniforms, though worn only
about six weeks, were so ragged that they were not decent to march through
the streets in. On my arrival at the depot, I was met by a joint Committee
of the City Council, headed by his Honor Mayor Wightman, who presented me
with a beautiful national color, which, together with the one used by the
old First Regiment, was all that I had when I left the city. After taking
leave of the many friends who had gathered at the depot to witness our
departure, I stepped upon the platform, not without some emotion, and
turned my back upon dear old Boston. As I entered the cars I found the
Assistant Quartermaster-General of Massachusetts, who was exercising
considerable authority, and on questioning him as to the cause of it, was
told he had been sent there by Gov. Andrew to superintend the Regiment
until it should be turned over to the proper authorities in Jersey City. I
informed him that I was Colonel of that Regiment, and that Gov. Andrew had
nothing to do