Lesson Plans  54 Regt Mass Vol Nov 23rd 1863  To His Excellency
John A. Andrew, Governor of Massachusetts  Copies of your
address, delivered to the Legislature of Massachusetts Nov. 11,
1863 have been received in this regiment. Such parts of it as
recommend the General Court to authorize the payment to the
enlisted men of the 54th Mass. Vols. of that portion of the
lawful monthly pay of United States Volunteers which has been or
may be refused them by the Paymaster of the United States, are
received unfavorably by the enlisted men of this Regiment. They
were enlisted and mustered into the Service of the United States
with the understanding that they would be treated in all
respects as other soldiers from Massachusetts. They will refuse
to accept any money from the United States until the United
States is willing to pay them according to the terms of this
enlistment. They feel that by accepting a portion of this just
dues from Massachusetts and a portion from the United States,
they would be as acknowledging a