Scope and Content: Pursuant to federal act of July 4, 1864 and state General Order 27 of July 14, 1864, Massachusetts Gov. John Andrews appointed Provost Marshal Major Joseph M. Day to oversee southern recruiting to prosecute the war against the Confederacy. His duties were to receive daily reports of recruitment activities, correspond with municipal officials regarding city and town quotas, and report to the governor on a weekly basis. Five assistant provost marshals were appointed for specific southern recruiting locations.  As most soldiers recruited in the south by Massachusetts were African-Americans, they were usually assigned to United States Colored Troops regiments, especially the 21st, 37th, 38th, 43rd, 50th, 58th, 71st, 73rd, 103rd, 128th, 5th heavy artillery and 3rd cavalry.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically in reverse order
Notes: After the war, when the post of Provost Marshal had lapsed, the Adjutant General’s Office had custody of these records
Related Catalog Records:

Archivegrid
OCLC