In the fall of 1861, the 2nd MA was brigaded with the 12th Massachusetts. There naturally existed a considerable rivalry between the two regiments. Many of the officers had known each other at Harvard and were friends socially. But this was not the Hasty Pudding Club, this was a battlefield, and the styles of leadership of professional soldier, Gordon, and Col. Fletcher Webster--the son of Daniel Webster--were as different as night and day. It did not help matters that Gordon's regiment, with its white gloves, dress parades, spotless camp grounds and strict adherence to discipline, was the favorite of MG Banks. They had, in fact, said Lt. Charles Morse, earned the nickname, "'stuck up' Massachusetts Regiment." Why? Because of the distinct, uncrossable line Gordon had drawn between his officers and the enlisted men. None of Gordon's officers, Morse related, would dare to be seen "sitting around in our tents smoking and joking" with their men "as they are allowed to do in some other regiments."
Capt. Richard Goodwin agreed. He was, he believed, well liked and respected by his men, but "not one of them would dream of coming into my tent except for business or duty."
Major Wilder Dwight admitted that in other brigades it was felt that the level of discipline under which Gordon kept his regiment (and later his brigade) bordered on cruelty, and that "even the officers among our neighbors discountenance the severity which alone insures our discipline." But it was no surprise to Capt. Samuel Quincy that the 2nd Massachusetts, which did not subscribe to a "town meeting style of discipline" were therefore no favorites of those that did.
When a court-martial sentenced a drunken man to be tied to a tree for one hour on three successive days as punishment for his offense, the three happened to be located where the men of the 12th Massachusetts could see it. Col. Webster's men took great exception to this form of punishment, and a disorderly mob gathered at the edge of the camp of the 2nd Massachusetts, shouting and making threats, causing Lt. Col. Andrews to call out his guard to keep the peace. As far as Lt. Fletcher Abbott was concerned, the men of the 12th MA had not only "behaved boorishly" they had "disgraced themselves & their state."
Infuriated at the conduct of the 12th MA, Gordon, who was in charge of the brigade during Gen. Abercrombie's absence, arrested the ring-leaders of the near riot as well as the regiment's Officer of the Day for doing nothing to control his men. Under pressure from his officers to do something about it, Webster came to Gordon and requested that the punishment of the convicted drunkard be conducted in a more discrete place, out of the sight of his regiment, warning him that he would not be responsible for the consequences. Gordon was unmoved by Webster's challenge. Was he unable to control his own men? Yes, Webster replied, he could control his men.
Anticipating further trouble from Webster, Gordon laid the matter before Gen. Banks and obtained his promise of support. To his face anyway, Banks agreed that discipline needed to be maintained. This should have ended the matter, said Dwight, but it didn't, for Webster appealed to Banks and, "by what persuasion we know not," wheedled out of the commanding general "a recommendation to Colonel Gordon that the punishment be inflicted with less 'publicity.'" This about-face on the part of Banks came just before the punishment was to commence, and, surprise! "General Banks cannot be found in season to give any explanation of his written recommandation."
This put Gordon in a delicate spot, but he was no shrinking violet. He ordered the man tied in the same place and the same manner. There was no trouble from the 12th Massachusetts this day.
Afterwards, Dwight maintained that Banks's poor handling of the matter had shaken the confidence of the officers of the regiment and only added to the"difficulties under which discipline is maintained."
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