Capt. Edward Abbott was not terribly pleased when he heard that his brother, Henry Livermore Abbott, wanted to get a commission in the 2nd Massachusetts. Ned was already keeping an eye out on their younger brother, Fletcher, and did not see the need for Henry to leave home as well. "Two are plenty," he wrote his father, "three are a crowd. What would make you allow him?" But when there appeared to be no talking Henry out of joining up (he became an officer in the 20th MA INF), Ned sent him a lengthy list of what every well-equipped officer HAD to have with him in the field. Of course, long before the 2nd MA left with Gen. Sherman on the March to the Sea, such a list would have been ridiculed. But in July of 1861 things were different.

Here are most of the items on Abbott's list:

1. A portfolio with writing paper, pen and ink
2. 100 ball cartridges for pistol & cartridge box
3. 1 dress uniform coat, 1 undress & blouse, with 1 dress trousers & 2 undress & very light blue flannel, without canvas
4. 3 woolen travelling shirts, very light with fobs for watches in the side
5. 3 prs. woolen drawers with buttons firmly secured on
6. 6 prs. woolen knit socks, not very thick
7. 2 prs. Army shoes which lace up and 1 pr. of very light slippers
8. 1 white linen shirt & 6 collars
9. 1 dressing case in which you can put all your toilet articles
10. A flat sponge to go in the top of your cap while marching
11. Two memoranda books without which no officer can get along They should be made so as to be easily carried in the pocket
12. A water-proof haversack for your servant to carry your provisions & other articles in
13. A water-proof overcoat, but not boots. I have thrown mine away
14. One of those woolen caps made by Camie and Speck to wear out of doors
15. A leather, not guilt, sword knot & no epauletts unless obliged to
16. A brandy flask & plenty of good brandy
17. A new patented water canteen for your servant to carry
18. A pair of blanket & overcoat straps from that man on School St., the trunk maker
19. A straw brush
20. Military books and Bible
21. 2 small penknifes
22. Several lead pencils, paper, stamps & envelopes
23. 1 India rubber officer's and 2 woolen blankets; strap these on top of your trunk
24. 1 mess chest
25. 1 small case of eating implements like mine
26. 1 sewing bag, filled
27. 2 leather stocks
28. 1 vest
29. As many handkerchiefs as you can buy because you will lose one each day
30. 1 lb. of powder & 5 lbs. of ball & 2 boxes percussion caps so that you can practice & not waste your cartridges
31. 11 [illegible] waste paper
32. plenty of pens
33. 10 gimlets to screw in for nails to hang your clothes on
34. 1 doz. white cotten gloves
35. 1 doz. leather show strings
36. 1 good, stout, keen servant all to yourself who knows how to cook, will not get drunk and who can buy provisions for you
37. 1 box blackening & brushes
38. 12 cakes honey soap
39. 6 coarse towels
40. 28 hare tooth brushes
41. looking glass shut in wood
42. Russia salves & coat plaster & scissors

All of this was fine while the regiment had two dozens wagons at its disposal to carry the baggage, but by the time the 2nd MA left Atlanta, it had been reduced to ONE wagon for the entire regiment.

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