Twelve Months with the Eighth Massachusetts Infantry in the Service of the United States

Chronology

Appendix

The following letters will be of interest to the members of the regiment, showing, as they do, the standing the regiment and its commander had with officers higher in authority in '98, and the fact that the good opinion is retained 10 years later.

To The President,

Executive Mansion, Washington.

Sir:—I take pleasure in saying that I have known Colonel William A. Pew, Jr., Eighth Massachusetts Volunteers, since his entry into the service at Camp Thomas. He has served with me in Kentucky, Georgia, and in this Island, and has shown himself to be in every way competent to command his regiment, which is one of the best I have seen in the Army. Colonel Pew is a lawyer by profession, but has devoted himself very persistently to the National Guard, with which he has served some eighteen or twenty years. Withal, he is still in the prime of life, and should occasion require it, I should be glad to see you avail of his services for the Regular Army, or any further service that may be necessary in the volunteers. Colonel Pew is entirely capable, correct in his habits, soldierly in his bearing, and at all times attentive to his duties. You could not do better, if his services were required, than appoint him to the rank of Brigadier General, which grade I am sure he would have won had it been his good fortune to participate in the conflict with the enemy.

I cordially commend him for the above promotion, and bespeak your good opinion of him, such officers as he will commend to your notice, and the regiment itself.

To the Adjutant General, U. S. Army,

Washington, D. C.

Sir:—I have the honor to recommend for appointment as Brigadier General of Volunteers, Colonel William A. Pew, of the Eighth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Colonel Pew has been under my command since last June and has proved his capacity in many ways. He has been at times during this interval, in command of a brigade, and also of the Third Division, First Army Corps. He has one of the best regiments in the service in all respects, due largely to his intelligence and faithful service. I consider him fully qualified to discharge the duties of Brigadier General.

H. E. Webber, Esq.,

Salem Post Office, Salem, Mass.

My dear Sir:—Replying to your letter of October 19th, I hasten to say that the Eighth Massachusetts Infantry served under my command during the war with Spain. It was a most excellent volunteer regiment, exceedingly well officered, from Colonel Pew down to the lowest lieutenant. It was noted for the good discipline displayed by it throughout its entire service, and what struck me particularly were the good relations existing between the officers and the enlisted men at all times and in all places. It was quite apparent that the officers treated their men with just consideration, equally removed from undue familiarity on the one hand and oppressive severity on the other. They took every care to instruct their men in all their duties, and while the regiment did not participate in any battle, it showed by its promptitude and willing obedience to orders, that it would give a good account of itself in the presence of the enemy. Its camps were noted for their cleanliness and good police, and both officers and men for the cheerful intelligence with which they performed such duties as were assigned to them. In the late war between the States, it was said that Massachusetts sent her best to support the Union, and judging from the character of this regiment, it is safe to say that she did the same in the war against Spain.

Mr. H. E. Webber, Salem, Mass.

Dear Sir:—Your letter of the 23rd inst. received. I remember the arrival of the Eighth Massachusetts Regiment at Camp George H. Thomas, Chickamauga Park, Georgia, and assigned it on report of its colonel to the Second Brigade, Third Division, First Army Corps. Colonel W. A. Pew, Jr., commanded this regiment at that time, and afterwards served under my command in Cuba. I can say that I thought very highly of the regiment. It was in good discipline, well instructed, good soldiers in fact, and it gives me pleasure to bear this testimony through the regiment, its officers and soldiers.

1

In 1898, the Park proper contained 5530.4 acres, of which 2032.8 acres were cleared and 3506.6 wooded. Troops on the march may camp or bivouac in the woods with but little risk to the health of the men, but in a sedentary camp the tents must be in the open.

2

The records of the War Department show that in August there were 1568 cases of typhoid in the Division and General Hospitals; there were probably as many more in the regiments.