Research

Scope and Content Note

Although it contains several sections dealing with Executive Chamber operations, this volume was used mainly by the Bureau of Military Statistics to document various activities. The bureau's first director, Lockwood L. Doty, also served as private secretary to Governor Edwin D. Morgan from 1859 through 1862. The bulk of the volume deals with three topics: accounts pertaining to the Military Record Fund; administrative expenses of the Bureau of Military Statistics; and the organization and equipment and supplies issued to New York State Militia and Volunteer regiments.

The section dealing with the Military Record Fund lists monies received from individuals and organizations and which were then deposited in a bank. Chapter 744 of the Laws of 1865 established the Military Record Fund in order to provide funds for the construction of a Hall of Military Record in Albany (the building was never built). Each entry provides date, name of individual or organization that forwarded funds, address, and amount. The entries date between February 3, 1866 through December 24, 1868 and are arranged chronologically by date of receipt.

The section pertaining to the Bureau of Military Statistics' administrative expenses documents the year 1864 only. The expenditures are routine and concern such items as stationery, travel, salaries, printing, furniture, and fuel. Entries are arranged by type of expenditure and therein chronologically by date.

The section concerning the New York State Militia and Volunteer units consists mainly of the names of the unit's officers along with an inventory of items issued to the unit prior to its muster into federal service. This section does not contain data on all of the militia and volunteer units raised by the state during the war; instead, only those units raised pursuant to Chapter 277 of the Laws of 1861, which was passed in response to President Lincoln's initial call for 75,000 men, are documented. The information is arranged by unit.

Other subjects documented by the volume include reports and forms received and mailed by the bureau (1863); articles missing from the bureau (ca. 1864); and general orders sent by the Adjutant General's Office (1864).