Draft of Order Authorizing Benjamin F. Butler to Raise a Volunteer Force1Jump to section
Major General B. F. Butler, is hereby authorized to raise, organize, arm, uniform and equip a Volunteer force for the War, in the New England States, not exceeding Six (6) Regiments, of the Maximum Standard, of such arms, and in such proportions and in such manner, as he may Judge expedient, and for this purpose, his orders and requisitions on the Quartermasters, Ordnance, and other Staff Departments of the Army, are to be obeyed and answered, provided, the cost of such recruitment, armament and equippment, does not exceed in the aggregate, that of like troops, now, or hereafter raised for the service of the United States. But this order is to be of no effect, unless the Governor of each State from which troops are to be enlisted, shall indorse his approval upon it, or on a copy thereof.
Annotation
[1] ADf-P, ISLA. Only the last sentence is in Lincoln's autograph. The final copy of this order, signed by Cameron and bearing Lincoln's endorsement---``Approved, Sep. 12, 1861/A. Lincoln'' (AES-P, ISLA) ---does not have the additional sentence inserted by Lincoln, but before Lincoln approved it on September 12, he sent his telegram to the New England Governors, September 11, infra.