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

It was not given to the Eighth, however, to overcome at once the results of their long stay at Chickamauga, surrounded by infection. For months they had fought contagion, and kept typhoid at bay, but were finally powerless against the swarm of flies that overspread their camp, depositing bacteria upon food and clothing. The regiment left Chickamauga inoculated with poison, and during the first few weeks at Lexington, enteric fever broke out and was more prevalent than at any other period.

For a month the energies of the regiment were devoted to getting down to the bed rock of health. Sources of contagion were destroyed or removed. At sick call, men with abnormal temperatures were removed from their comrades, and sent to the general hospital. Suspicious cases were held under observation until the outcome was known. Sick men who might be a source of new contagion, were at once separated from the regiment, and so thoroughly was this work done, that more than half the regiment was away from the colors.

A systematic crusade was made against the old germs that had traveled with the regiment from Chickamauga hid in blankets, clothing or personal belongings. Corrosive sublimate and chlorinated lime were freely used.

Clothing and blankets were boiled, brushed, and hung up for sunshine and wind to work through. All excreta was collected in closed sinks from which flies were excluded, and germ life was poisoned with chemical agents.

Tent floors were daily washed with corrosive sublimate, and weekly stood on end for the under side to be dried and white washed. Location of tents were frequently changed, and the uncovered ground thoroughly treated with lime. The camp was thoroughly drained, policed, and was as near medically clean as the science of military hygiene permitted.

As soon as possible a new issue of tentage was obtained, and those used at Chickamauga were destroyed. Each tent was furnished with a floor, and wooden sleeping bunks.

Sales by pedlers were regulated by orders from Division Headquarters. Chickamauga Park had been overrun by fakirs selling cakes, pies and other foods, much of which was believed to have been contaminated, and to have materially contributed to the spread of camp diseases. As soon as the food pedlers appeared in the new camp, they were rounded up by the guard and expelled. Certain permits were issued, regulating the sale of foods. Pedlers were required to report to the Officer of the Day, and conduct their business under his direction and supervision.

Many men suffering from intestinal troubles, could not assimilate the sturdy Government ration, and large quantities of milk and eggs were daily needed for their nourishment. Such perishable articles were not furnished by the Government, and company commanders had to depend upon the company fund for their purchase.

The sale of beer was the chief source of revenue to the Canteen, and was accordingly resorted to. A commodious wooden building was erected as a Post Exchange, and a large ice box was constructed, where gallons of milk and hundreds of eggs were stored. Captain Horace S. Bean, of Company B, was put in charge of the Canteen, and made large purchases from the neighboring farmers. The favorite tipple served over the bar was a milk and egg shake. Many of the company commanders served an egg nog to each man at 10 A. M. and 4 P. M. daily. The best quality of beer was obtained from Milwaukee, and was hereafter retained as a regular Canteen supply, while the regiment remained in the service.

The profit on the sale of beer became a material factor in building up the health of the regiment, and augmenting the company funds. At one time over three thousand dollars was divided among companies as a Canteen dividend.

A new hospital tent was received from the Massachusetts Volunteer Aid Association, and was pitched on the left flank of the regiment. As the regimental hospital had been abolished, this was used as a dispensary. All soldiers requiring treatment reported to the dispensary, where their case was diagnosed by the regimental surgeon, and if it was found that the patient was in a condition requiring treatment, he was immediately sent to the Division hospital.

This was known as the John Blair Gibbs Hospital, and was situated about a mile from camp. It was presided over by a competent staff of skilled surgeons, assisted by a corps of trained nurses, from whom the men received excellent treatment.

During this period of recuperation, furloughs were freely given. This privilege was sometimes abused, and some men without any ailment, except a desire to go home, managed to pass the surgeons and secure a furlough. The "furlough walk" and "furlough face" came to be recognized as evidence of homesickness, and was more or less joked about among the men as means of obtaining a furlough. Nearly all the men, however, who were sent home, needed a change, and were granted furloughs as a sanitary precaution.

Lexington had been the home of Henry Clay, and as a compliment to the city, the camp was named Camp Henry Clay, in honor of the Kentucky statesman. This name was subsequently changed, as the War Department had adopted the practice of naming the camps in honor of soldiers who had fallen in the Spanish War, to Camp J. M. Hamilton, in honor of an officer in the Ninth United States Infantry, who fell at Santiago.

The "P jacket" first appeared in the regiment at Camp Hamilton. Previous to its introduction, one unacquainted with military affairs, could not distinguish prisoners from other soldiers.

These jackets were a distinctive badge. They were a blue jumper with a large capital P painted in white upon the back, and a smaller letter P, and the prisoner's number painted upon the arm.

It was related that a party of young ladies visiting the camp, became very much interested in these uniforms; but not understanding the letter P, inquired its significance from one of the prisoners, and was smilingly told that it stood for "Perfect," and that the jacket was a badge of honor.

The condition of the regiment was a source of great solicitude to its friends at home, and many anxious inquiries were made as to its health and surroundings. On September 8th, Mayor Ramsdell of Lynn, visited the camp and remained a number of days. He was the first of several Northern people who visited the camp to inquire into and report upon the condition of the troops.

On September 8th, the camp was visited by a delegation from Massachusetts, headed by Colonel Benjamin S. Lovell of Weymouth, of the military committee of Governor Wolcott's council. This trip was the result of a story printed in a Cincinnati paper, to the effect that the Eighth was demoralized with typhoid fever.

Colonel Lovell and others, who were in attendance at the national encampment of the G. A. R., in the Ohio city, saw the report in the paper, and Colonel Lovell telegraphed for authority to proceed to Lexington and make an investigation, and permission was granted by Governor Wolcott.

A special car was chartered, and Colonel Lovell, Colonel William M. Olin, secretary of the commonwealth, a veteran of the Civil War, who camped at Lexington in those stirring days, Captain J. G. B. Adams, sergeant-at-arms of the Massachusetts legislature, himself a past commander-in-chief of the G. A. R., accompanied by Mrs. L. A. Turner, prominent in Women's Relief Corps circles, and other Massachusetts people, made the trip to Lexington.

The day was spent in looking over the regiment, and Colonel Lovell, Colonel Olin and Captain Adams, made a thorough inspection of the regiment and its conditions, in regard to food, sanitary arrangements, and especially in regard to sickness. Colonel Lovell made a report to the governor upon his return home, and the same is on file at the State House, although it could not be located at the time this chapter was written.

At the close of the day, the entire party went back to Cincinnati, satisfied that the report was greatly exaggerated by the newspaper which had published the story, as there was but little typhoid among the men.

On September 12th, Mayor Chase of Haverhill, also visited the camp, being the guest of Company F of that city.

The troops quartered in and about Lexington were the Eighth Massachusetts, Twelfth New York, Twenty-First Kansas, One Hundred and Sixtieth Indiana, Third Kentucky, Fourth Kentucky, Third Mississippi, Second Missouri, Seventh United States Immunes, colored, Eighth United States Immunes, colored. On September 26th, the Twenty-First Kansas left for Fort Leavenworth, to be mustered out of the service, and upon the day following their place was taken by the First Territorial Regiment. This regiment was enlisted from the territories of New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Indian Territory, and was composed of ranchmen, cowboys, and some Indians. Their initial appearance in the camp of the Eighth was explosive. As soon as a camp site had been assigned them, and they were dismissed, they started on a round of visits to the various camps. The visit was made upon the run, accompanied by a continuous yelling and whooping. This whirlwind of noise passed through every company street in the New York and Massachusetts regiments without stopping, and disappeared to repeat the performance in the camps of other regiments. The most orderly member of the command was a large brown bear, which did duty as regimental mascot.

Some amusement was furnished one evening as the men assembled for parade, by a barouche containing four ladies of the town, driven by a stately colored man. They disappeared in the camp of the Twelfth New York, but shortly returned with the large letters I. C., in chalk on the back of the carriage.

The camp site of the Eighth had formerly been cultivated, but during the summer the land had run to weeds. These were waist high until mowed. During one of the early changes of guard, the old guard was marched by the Lieutenant through some of these weeds, towards the regimental parade, where they were to be dismissed. Suddenly the guard broke ranks, and each man rushed for his quarters. The Lieutenant stopped in amazement and shouted to his men, "What in blank are you running for"? Before he got an answer, a swarm of hornets attached themselves to his person, and he was soon running as fast as any member of his guard.

The men were encouraged to engage in sports as a recreation. At one time, foot ball was taken up in a mild way, but after the Kentucky State College defeated Company H by a score of 59 to 0, interest in this strenuous sport died out.

Lexington was well supplied with entertainment, and on several occasions enlisted men attended the theatre and circus in a body.

Two evenings were known at the Opera House as Eighth Regiment nights, when the drum corps took part in the performance, and a large delegation from the regiment was represented in the audience.

The drum corps was well received throughout the south, and their rendering of Dixie was always greeted with Southern yells of approval.

On one occasion Company L was entertained at the home of Mrs. Kate Breen, where Lieutenant Breen, Inspector of Rifle Practice of the Ninth Massachusetts Infantry, was visiting. He acted as host, and left with the men a pleasant memory of his hospitality.

Dr. Horace B. Frost, of Boston, joined the regiment here, having been commissioned Assistant Surgeon, with the rank of Lieutenant, vice Jenkins, resigned.

The people of Lexington were most courteous and kind to the regiment. Many homes were opened, and the genial social life was welcomed as a help in making officers and men contented. On September 24th, the regiment was the guest of the Jockey Club at the Loudon Park. It gave an exhibition drill, and witnessed the races.

One of the features was a running race, open only to the officers of the Third Division. It was participated in by 20 officers, the leaders finishing in the following order:—

Major Nickerson, Seventh United States Cavalry; Lieutenant Hero, Fourth United States Artillery; Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey; Colonel Pew; Major Eldredge; Adjutant Barroll, and Quartermaster Wonson, all of the Eighth Massachusetts; Lieutenant Horton, Twelfth New York, and Lieutenant Stinson, Eighth Massachusetts.

This contest was continued two other days, the "finals" being run off Saturday, open to the entire camp (12,000), any military horse, with an officer "up." The final was won by Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey, Eighth Massachusetts, on his mare "Alathea," with Adjutant Barroll, Eighth Massachusetts, second, on Colonel Pew's "Essex."

Ladies were frequently the guests of the regiment, and especially on review days. Two large reviews were held in which all the troops participated, one in honor of General Russell A. Alger, Secretary of War, and the other in honor of Governor Bradley of Kentucky. On September 20th, General Russell A. Alger arrived by rail, and was met at the station by the Second Brigade, and escorted to General Breckenridge's headquarters. Later on, a review was tendered by the Division. The Eighth paraded over eight hundred men, and from this time its numbers were continually increasing by the return of convalescents to duty, and the expiration of furloughs.

After the review, the Secretary of War inspected the Division Hospital and the various camps. He spent some time in the camp of the Eighth, chatting with the officers, and took occasion to compliment the regiment upon its intelligent struggle against typhoid at Chickamauga.

Early in August, the Secretary of War had sent Colonel Hopkins, Assistant Inspector General of the United States Army, to examine and report upon the condition of the troops at Chickamauga. Colonel Hopkins' report to the Secretary of War was subsequently published, but was unknown to the regiment at this time. In it he said that the Eighth Massachusetts was the only regiment in the Park he was sure had complied with sanitary regulations, and that its low sick rate, as compared with that of other regiments, showed an intelligent appreciation of the situation by the officers, and an earnest effort to stop the spread of preventable disease, by the application of hygienic measures.

Later in the day, the Generals and Colonels of the Division met the Secretary at General Breckenridge's headquarters, and were invited to express their opinion on the sanitary conditions. Some of the officers bitterly denounced the inefficiency of the Quartermaster's Department and the Medical Department at Chickamauga; the Chief Surgeon of the corps was characterized as a horse doctor, and his professional qualifications were criticised.

Several changes of officers were made in October. On the 20th, General Breckenridge turned over the command of the Corps to General James H. Wilson, under whom the Eighth served until mustered out.

On the 7th, Rev. George D. Sanders, the Chaplain, resigned. The Rev. Milo H. Gates of Ipswich, was appointed to fill this vacancy November 11th, but before being mustered in, was thrown from a horse, and owing to his injuries was unable to pass the physical examination. Chaplain Sanders was subsequently re-appointed and joined the regiment in Cuba.

On October 24th, Lieutenant Francis H. Downey of Company I, died at the St. Joseph's Hospital in Lexington, of pneumonia. Funeral services were held over his remains in the city, and were attended by the officers of the regiment, and by Companies D and I. He was the only officer in the command who died during the service.

On the 28th, Lieutenant-Colonel Edwin W. M. Bailey resigned, and Major William Stopford was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel. The vacancy in majority was not filled, as the United States allowed at this time but two majors to a regiment. Colonel Stopford continued to command the First Battalion. Owing to the place of his promotion, he became known in Lexington society as the real Kentucky Colonel.

Lieutenant Stephen N. Bond of Company K, resigned on October 28th.

During the temporary absence of the regimental surgeon, Captain Rutherford of the Second Missouri, was assigned and remained on duty with the regiment several weeks.

After the Third Division had recovered its health, the proposition to make a practice march was again discussed. Lieutenant Francisco A. DeSousa of Company E, with a detail from the regiment, was sent over the road to Frankford, Kentucky, to locate camps and select a suitable place for rifle practice. It was the intention to have each regiment march to Frankford and spend a week at target practice. Owing to the lateness of the season and the approach of cold weather, the undertaking was abandoned.

On October 10th, General Waites, who was about to retire from the command of the Second Brigade, tendered the officers a reception at his quarters. Soon after the officers of the Eighth had returned to their camp, Colonel Pew received directions through a staff officer to issue ball ammunition, and hold his men in readiness to march. The order was immediately obeyed. No explanation was offered, and the regiment awaited developments.

In the quiet night the measured beat of marching was heard along the Bryan Pike, and the Regimental Guard reported the One Hundred and Sixtieth Indiana going into Lexington to quell a riot. A member of the Third Kentucky on provost duty in the city, had shot and killed a soldier of the Twelfth New York, who refused to halt when ordered. The sentinel was arrested pending an inquiry.

A rumor spread through the camp that a number of the Twelfth New York and the First Territorial Regiments had started for the city to lynch this sentinel. There was more or less disturbance at the Montrose station by a mob of excited soldiers, and several shots were fired.

The Eighth was ordered to deploy one battalion as skirmishers across the Bryan Pike, and railroad track, and stop all soldiers. The other two battalions were to remain under arms in camp as a reserve. Colonel Stopford executed this deployment with the First Battalion. Nothing happened, and he was withdrawn before morning. The situation in the city was easily controlled by the provost guard with the help of the One Hundred and Sixtieth Indiana.

In October Governor Wolcott directed General Robert A. Blood, the Surgeon General of Massachusetts, to visit the camps of the Eighth and Fifth Massachusetts regiments and report on the sanitary condition, rations and hospital accommodations of these regiments. As a result of this trip, General Blood made the following report to the Governor:—

"After three or four days at Camp Meade, visiting the Fifth Regiment, I proceeded to Camp Hamilton, Lexington, Kentucky, where I arrived in due time. I found the camp of the Eighth Regiment about four or five miles out from Lexington, and in the heart of the blue-grass country. This was a most delightful situation, and I think, one of the finest locations for a camp I have ever seen.

I was cordially received by Colonel Pew, commander of the Eighth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and every opportunity was given me by the Colonel to inspect this camp. This regiment was stationed at Camp Thomas for a long time. There had been a great deal of sickness, mostly typhoid fever, but at the time of my visit there were no new cases, and the cases in the hospitals were progressing favorably. At this time there were no regimental hospitals. Orders for re-establishing the regimental hospitals had just been received from headquarters, but no medicines or medical supplies had been issued. I looked the camp over very carefully, saw the men on duty and off duty, and visited other camps for comparisons. I saw no regiment at Camp Hamilton that seemed so thoroughly up to all that goes to make a good regiment as the Eighth. The men were soldierly in their bearing, the grounds were kept in perfect condition, tents were all in order and scrupulously clean. A great many of the men had fixed up temporary bunks or cots for their beds. Altogether this was perhaps the cleanest regiment, excepting the Fifth Massachusetts, that I saw in all my visiting soldiers in the field. It was certainly equal to any.

I saw almost nothing in the sanitary arrangements of this regiment to criticise. The only thing, as with the Fifth Regiment, which I think could be improved, is the company cooking. Of course this will improve in time. I stayed with this regiment nearly a week. I visited and dined with General Breckenridge, commander of this post, and with other general officers commanding divisions and brigades. General Breckenridge was very kind to me, showing me every attention, and all the officers I met at Camp Hamilton treated me with the greatest consideration. I take this opportunity to thank them. This army corps was, I believe, under better discipline than any other corps I saw during the summer, with the exception, possibly, the regulars at Montauk.

I desire to say here, that, in my judgment, Colonel Pew is a most excellent commander, and all the officers of the Eighth whom I met seemed to be well up in their profession and doing most excellent work. The regiment as I saw it was an honor to the State."

By the end of October the nights had become chilly, and although bed sacks and extra blankets were issued to the men, it was difficult to keep warm. Americus, Georgia, had been designated in orders as the future home of the Eighth Massachusetts and Twelfth New York and a detail from the Eighth was already upon the ground preparing a camp site.

Orders were issued for the Eighth to entrain on November 10th for Americus, and upon this date the regiment was transferred to the Second Brigade, Second Division, First Army Corps. The regiment had been ordered to entrain early in the morning near the Montrose station, but owing to the delay in loading the baggage of Brigade Headquarters, it was impossible for the Quartermaster of the Eighth to begin loading his baggage before afternoon.

The regiment had risen early, and had its breakfast before 5 o'clock, and in compliance with orders, all baggage had been packed and transported to the station. The day was cold and raw, and a steady downpour of rain had converted the camp site into a mass of mud. Tents had been struck and shipped to the station, and the men were required to remain on the camp ground all day without food or shelter, waiting for the passenger sections to pull in from Lexington.

Many of the men in their efforts to keep warm, drank too much whiskey, and a large number in the regiment became sadly demoralized. The guard house, a wooden structure, was set on fire, and some of the prisoners had a narrow escape from cremation. The event was known as the evacuation of Lexington. The troop trains did not arrive until after dark, when the regiment embarked, and for the first time since five in the morning, the men were served with food and hot coffee. The departure from Lexington was sad and dispiriting and was made under trying conditions.