[1861 Civil War LS from Vermont Governor Erastus Fairbanks concerning the 4th and 5th Vermont Regiments, to Assistant Secretary of War in charge of Railroad and Telegraph Lines, Col. Thomas A. Scott].

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1861 letter signed from Vermont Governor Erastus Fairbanks (1792–1864) to Assistant Secretary of War Col. Thomas A. Scott concerning uniforms, equipment, and rifles for the 4th and 5th Regiments of Vermont Volunteers:

An unexpected delay in procuring tents has delayed their going into rendezvous for a few days. They…will be uniformed and equipped with as much dispatch as possible; but they cannot go forwd. till some time next week unless I send them without uniforms. The press for clothes for Gov’t contracts has retarded the completion of their outfit. I have Enfield Rifles for the 4th and Springfield Rifles for the 5th…

An antislavery leader, Fairbanks served as governor of Vermont from 1860 to 1861. “Fairbanks assured President Lincoln that his state would do its ‘full duty’ when the urgent request came from the threatened national capital. ... In an effort to speed up the preparations, Fairbanks had the necessary arms and accouterments purchased against his company’s credit.” (ANB)

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