Fugitive slaves will, under no pretext whatever, be permitted to reside or in any way harbored in quarters and camps of troops serving in this Department. Neither will such slaves be allowed to accompany troops on the march. Commanders of troops will be held responsible for the strict observance of this order.
By order of
BRIG-GEN. MANSFIELD.
In a few days after receiving this order, I was informed that a colored man had come inside of my lines who did not belong to the camp, and in accordance with the above I ordered the officer of the day to send the man outside the lines, as I should have done to any white man, or any person there without permission. A correspondent of the Traveller, from the First Massachusetts Regiment, wrote a most pitiful and affecting story regarding it, but I can only say in reply that his statement was incorrect in nearly every particular. On the 29th of June, I received a letter from Hon. Charles Sumner, requesting me to call at his office in Washington, which I did, and on arriving there was presented by him with a letter from Gov. Andrew, of which the following is a copy:—
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Executive Department, Boston, June 27, 1861.
Col. Robert Cowdin:—
My dear Sir: I am compelled earnestly and emphatically, though with entire friendliness, to call upon you, without delay, to resign your commission as Colonel of the First Massachusetts Regiment. The testimony is so unanimous and constant and overwhelming that the Regiment has suffered every day, for want of competent management, that I am compelled to this step, which I take with the utmost regret.
Yours very truly,
J. A. ANDREW.
I inquired of Mr. Sumner what it all meant, and he informed me that the Governor was very much dissatisfied with me, and had written to him and Senator Wilson, asking them to urge my resignation. I told him I was then an officer in the United States service, and that if the Governor, or any one else, had any charge to prefer against me to present them to proper authorities, and I would willingly be tried by a court-martial and abide the result without a murmur. I then returned to camp, and wrote to Gov. Andrew, in substance, what I had stated to Mr. Sumner, and that I should not resign.
Not satisfied with this result, I was honored, in the course of a few days, with a visit from His Excellency, who informed me that he had come to inspect my horses, wagons, and other camp equipage, of which there had been so much complaint. I showed them to him, but he appeared perfectly indifferent to all that I said. I invited him to dine with me, which he did. I then invited him to stay and witness my drill, but he very abruptly declined. I was informed, and from the best authority, that, during his visit in Washington, he called upon the President and urged my removal, but was told by him (the President) that he could not remove me before having the advice of Gen. Scott and Secretary Cameron. He then called upon Gen. Scott and asked, as a personal favor, that he would recommend to the President my removal. He was asked for what reason, but being unable to give any satisfactory one, was told by the General that his request could not be complied with. The next morning he was to start for Boston, but before leaving he called upon Senator Sumner, who had not risen. He was shown to his chamber, when he again requested him to call upon me and urge my immediate resignation. Consequently I was, in the course of a few days, honored by a visit from Hon. Mr. Sumner, Hon. John B. Alley, and Dr. James W. Stone, since deceased. I conducted them around my camp, entertaining them as best I could, when Senator Sumner then broached the subject and again urged me to resign, intimating that I might be removed. I replied, as on a previous occasion, adding that I had spent too much time and money for the militia of Massachusetts to be driven out in such a disgraceful manner. Mr. Alley then made a few remarks relative to the subject, as did also Dr. Stone, but I assured them that I was more than ever determined not to resign. And, furthermore, informed them that I had had trouble enough from the interference of outsiders, and if any one called again for the same purpose, they should see the inside of my guard-house.