Beschreibung:

Lot of 70, ca. 1863-1908. Commanding officers were essential in creating either solidarity or discord within regiments. Some were hated, but Col. Francis Parker was revered. Parker was a major in the Civil War and helped command the 32nd MA for a short six months. A Boston newspaper clipping offered in this lot announces his resignation. In it his men said: We part with him, who a short time ago was an entire stranger to us, with extreme regret; and while life shall last he will be held in grateful, loving remembrance by every soul in the First Battalion Infantry, Massachusetts Volunteers. In proof of the feelings of others outside his command, the post band, on Wednesday evening, serenaded him their choicest pieces. In closing words of a sentiment offered last night, we say, "God bless him and confound his enemies." The archive consists of over 70 pieces Parker received after his resignation from the 32nd MA from 1863 until 1865. Most of the items are letters written to Parker, with 11 that are letters previously removed from Parker's copy book. The items detail how much the 32nd MA suffered in his absence with his lack of leadership and how the dynamics changed under the poor leadership of other officers. Several other papers concerning his activity in the GAR until 1908 are also included in the lot. Parker enlisted as a major on December 2, 1861 but was not commissioned into the 32nd MA Field & Staff until December 9. He served a short time in the regiment and resigned on December 27, 1862. He was promoted to lt. col. on May 25, 1862 and to the rank of col. three months later. On December 13, 1862, two weeks before his resignation, the regiment participated in an assault on Marye's Heights at Fredricksburg. It lost 35 officers and men, the enemy killed six of them. Almost immediately after he left, on February 11th, the regiment failed its report. Humiliated, officer Joseph R. Robinson wrote to Parker on January 6, 1863: You no doubt __ this have received communications from several jealous officers in relation to your official report to the Governor. The object of the present is to inform you that I do not belong to that class and in no way or manner will I help to increase the present ill felling that exists among the officers in the regiment. I will be candid and say this however, that I have never felt so bad concerning anything in my life as I do about the "Roll of Honor," That I did my duty I am satisfied of, but as you were near me from the time we formed until we marched away from the field, I think that some of my acts were not favorable in your eyes-Do not for one moment include me in the ___ of those who are making trouble- Shocked by the regiment's condition, Parker wrote to Col. J B. Sweitzer on February 23, 1863: His Excellency Gov. Andrew has transmitted a copy of the report of Col. Johnson inspecting officers showing a very bad condition of affairs in the 32nd Mass. I receive the act as an intimation that I am responsible for that condition. I could respectfully request your opinion as to my responsibility for the state of the regiment on reports and also on the condition of its men... Few thought Parker was responsible for the state of affairs. In a second February letter Parker wrote to the Governor, I confess to a feeling of deep mortification at knowing of such an inspection report but believe that I can in a few days show to his Excellency satisfactory proof that if this be a correct report it is very different from those I had the honor to hold the command. Morale plummeted and infighting ensued in the regiment. Private Octavius A. Merril wrote to Parker, the majority of officers commissioned in this Company, know as much about military duty as they do about the Hebrew language (July 14, 1863). Parker investigated by asking other officers why the report failed. He defended the regiment and questioned the circumstances surrounding the inspection. He admitted, however, it had some truths. He wrote to Lt.