Harry E. Webber
Twelve Months with the Eighth Massachusetts Infantry in the Service of the United States

Preface

It is a habit with the citizens of old Essex, one of the pioneer counties of the grand old Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to point with pride to the fact that since the earliest days of the settlement, she was ever ready to take up arms at the country's call, and her sons were always found ready and willing to go forth to do battle for what they believed to be the right.

The record of her soldiers and sailors is a splendid one, and her sons have nobly represented her on land and on sea. It is perhaps a far cry from the early days of the settlement to the opening of hostilities in the last conflict at arms in which the men of the county figured.

In the earlier events the hazards of warfare were perhaps more, but on the other hand, in those days it was necessary for all men able to handle a gun to fight, while in the recent clash at arms the men who answered their country's call volunteered their services, seeking the privilege of bearing arms rather than having the duty forced upon them. Honor to them all, not only for "what they did, but all they dared."

Massachusetts has furnished her full quota of men at every call of the country. Old Essex has given her share, and as one of the Essex Regiments, the Eighth has figured on several occasions.

Of those previous to 1898 this volume has no detailed account to present, but it is a matter of pride to the citizens of this county that it is said of the Eighth Massachusetts that it was the first National Guard regiment ready, after a canvass of its officers and men, to volunteer, and was one of the first to leave the state in the service of the nation in the conflict with Spain.

The call to arms on this occasion did not come unexpectedly. For some months events had been so shaping themselves that it was evident to all close observers of national affairs that a conflict was almost inevitable, and the government had been placing itself in a position to enable the country to acquit itself creditably when the clash came.

War has been declared between nations for many causes, some of them trivial. Some have been wars of oppression, some of conquest, and so on, but the conflict of 1898 was in its way unique. It was a war waged in the interests of humanity. For years upon years, one of our next door neighbors, so to speak, the island of Cuba, lying just off our southern coast, had felt the iron heel of the despots of the Kingdom of Spain. As act after act of oppression galled upon the natives of the island they were stirred to revolt, only to be subdued and then subjected to even more crushing indignities.

The last great revolt was perhaps the best organized of any, and spreading from one end of the island to the other, became of such magnitude as to almost reach the dignity of a war between nations instead of the rebellion of a colony against its dominating power.

With the same spirit that made heroes out of our forefathers in the days of '76, the Cubans fought for their rights and for independence, and their gallant struggles not only enlisted the almost universal sympathy of this country, but many soldiers of fortune from the United States fought under the Cuban colors.

While the attitude of the government was diplomatically neutral, the press and a large majority of citizens were out and out sympathizers with the Cuban cause, and it was but a question of a short time before arms, ammunition, supplies and men found themselves surreptitiously on the way to Cuba, in aid of the cause of the islanders.

Naturally this state of affairs was resented by the Spaniards, and the feelings of the two nations gradually became more and more strained, even though diplomatically there was no breach.

No doubt the sensational press, especially the so-called "yellow journals", had a great deal to do with inflaming the public passion, but carefully planned investigations of the conditions on the island revealed a state of affairs so gross that the worst stories of cruelty and inhumanity seemed plausible, and the feeling against Spain eventually became so bitter that it needed only the spark to kindle the flame of war.

This was eventually furnished, and is one of the blackest chapters of the Cuban war, by the destruction of an American warship while lying peacefully at anchor in Havana harbor, under the guns of the Spanish forts, and in a time of peace.

The "Maine" had been ordered to Cuban waters to look out for American interests. She was received in due form by the Spanish authorities, and her berth was picked out by them. While lying at anchor on the night of February 15, 1898, she was blown up from the outside, presumably by a mine, and many lives lost, while many more men were horribly injured.

This was undoubtedly the specific act that led to the opening of war between the United States and Spain, the details of which will be found in other volumes.

It is the purpose of this book to treat simply of the part played in the conflict by the Eighth Regiment, Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V., which was the official designation of the boys of the Eighth Regiment Infantry, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, when called into the service of the United States.

Although one of the first volunteer regiments to get away, it so happened that it was so assigned for duty that it missed getting into an engagement with the enemy, although being sent to Cuba and performing several months of its service there. It was the first foreign service of the regiment, and was a performance that will take a prominent part in the history of the Eighth Massachusetts, which embraces so long and honorable a record.

Introduction

To the officers and men of the Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.:—

I have been requested by the author, Mr. Harry E. Webber, to write some account of the Eighth Massachusetts Regiment, while under my command during the Spanish-American war.

I reported for duty in Chickamauga Park, June 20th, 1898, and was assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division of the First Corps, consisting of the Third Illinois, Fourth Pennsylvania, and Fourth Ohio Regiments. These were all good regiments, especially the Fourth Pennsylvania, under Colonel David B. Case. As I expected to remain with this brigade throughout the war, I began an inspection by company, battalion, and regiment, so that I might learn something more about their actual condition, and the capacity of the officers than could be learned on parade. I mention this circumstance, not because it concerns the Eighth Massachusetts, but because the information I gathered was of the greatest use to me later on in dealing with other volunteer regiments.

I did not complete this inspection, however, as on the 28th of June, I was assigned to the command of the Third Division of the First Corps, composed of the Twelfth Minnesota, Fifth Pennsylvania, First South Carolina, Eighth Massachusetts, Twelfth New York, Twenty-First Kansas, Ninth Pennsylvania, Second Missouri, and First New Hampshire. Subsequently, during the changes and vicissitudes which occurred, there were assigned or attached to this Division, the Third United States Volunteers, Engineers, the Fifth Missouri, the One Hundred and Sixtieth Indiana, the Second, Third and Fourth Kentucky, Third Mississippi, First Territorial, and the Third and Fourth Immune Regiments of Infantry, and one squadron of the First Kentucky Cavalry,—so that I had ample opportunity to observe and compare different volunteer regiments.

The Eighth Massachusetts arrived in the Park May 19th, and came under my observation about one month later, and before I joined the Third Division. It was the only volunteer regiment I saw fully uniformed in khaki. As this dress was new to me, it attracted my attention at once, and I rode over twice to the Second Brigade of the Third Division for a better look at the regiment, which, needless to say, made a very favorable impression.

As will doubtless be remembered, the Third Division remained in the Park until the 21st of August, when it was transferred to Lexington, Kentucky, where it went into camp on the Bryan road at Clark's Farm, about five miles east of the city. There it remained until November 4th, its official designation was changed by orders from the War Department, to the Second Division, First Army Corps, and on the 10th it was ordered to Georgia, the Headquarters Signal Company, Third United States Volunteers, Engineers, and First Brigade to Columbus, the Second Brigade to Americus, and the Third Brigade to Albany. At this time the Second Brigade consisted of the Eighth Massachusetts, Twelfth New York and Fourth Kentucky, under Brigadier General Waites, U. S. V. The Fourth Kentucky was ordered to be mustered out, leaving the other two regiments to compose the Brigade, and this arrangement was not changed while the Division remained in service.

On the 16th of November I was relieved from the command of the Second Division and ordered to the Second Brigade, relieving General Waites, and was thus brought into closer contact with the Eighth Massachusetts. The Brigade remained in Americus until November 26th when, under orders from the War Department, the headquarters, the Brigade Hospital and the Twelfth New York Regiment, were ordered to Charleston, S. C. en route to Matanzas, Cuba, where it arrived January 1st.

A few days later the Eighth Massachusetts rejoined, and not long thereafter the One Hundred and Sixtieth Indiana, Third Kentucky, Tenth United States Infantry, and six troops of the Second United States Cavalry which composed the garrison of the city and district of Matanzas, and the Second Brigade of the Second Division of the First Army Corps, practically ceased to exist. When the Third Division became the Second Division, Major General Ludlow was assigned to command it. He remained in command until December 17th when I was ordered to relieve him. I rejoined the Second Brigade in Americus December 26th and went with it to Cuba.

The Eighth remained in Matanzas until April 4, 1899, when it sailed for Boston, where it was mustered out of the service of the United States, and reverted to its status as a regiment of the National Guard. While it was not given to the Eighth Massachusetts to undergo the supreme test of the battlefield, it proved beyond the shadow of a doubt by its calm indifference to death in other forms and its devotion to duty, that it would have met that test with a glorified record of good discipline and steadfast courage. Who among all of those who had the misfortune to remain in Chickamauga Park through the summer of 1898, will ever forget the trials and dangers of that encampment? From forty to sixty thousand men huddled together within an area not too large for a sedentary camp of two divisions.¹

Prior to August 1st the camps of all the regiments of the Third Division, were in the woods with an average of from six to eight men in a tent, many of which were unfit for occupancy. Polluted water, insufficient supplies and protection from the incessant rains of that year, and the fact that neither the camp nor the tents were ever moved, from lack of space, produced their inevitable result, and when the Third Division left the Park, August 21st, there were twenty-nine officers and 1237 enlisted men on the sick report, out of 337 officers and 9464 men present; or, in other words, one officer out of twelve and one man out of eight. Although questioned at the time by those high in authority, it is now well known that a large proportion of the sick had typhoid fever; in fact it was epidemic.²

My recollections of Chickamauga Park are not pleasant for reasons which I cannot very well explain here. It is sufficient to say that I was fully cognizant of the wretched conditions which sent the sick report higher each day and subjected the sick in hospital to needless privation and suffering, but was powerless to prevent or ameliorate them. In fact, for administrative purposes, I was very little more than a figure head, although held responsible by the regiments, whose appeals for a relief which never came while we remained in the Park, were most distressing to me. At that time the collapse of the war had not been foreseen, and although the Spanish forces in the eastern district of Santiago, Cuba had capitulated July 16, it was not until the protocol of August 12th, providing for a cessation of hostilities, that we felt the war was over and that the Third Division would probably never fire a hostile shot. In the meantime, however, under the orders of the Corps Commander, the Division was held in readiness to move at a moment's notice, and every effort was made to prepare it for service against the Spaniards.

To this end, and on the day after I assumed the command, orders were issued to prepare the Division for active service in accordance with the instructions of the War Department. These prescribed the clothing, ammunition, and rations to be carried on the person and in the two wagons allowed each company,—all other clothing and all other personal belongings of the men to be packed in boxes legibly marked with the company and regiment, and turned over to the depot quartermaster for storage or shipment. To render the officers and men expert in packing, and to determine just what could be carried under the instructions referred to, each regiment was required to strike tents and pack up, after which it was marched to the regimental parade grounds, followed by its wagons, and inspected by the Brigade Commander. It was well understood that all regimental and company property which had not been disposed of when marching orders were received, must be abandoned.

As up to the time I assumed command of the Division there had been no target practice, on July 1, Major Edward H. Eldredge, of the Eighth Massachusetts, was appointed Inspector of Rifle Practice, and preparations were at once made to begin target practice. Nothing could have been more fortunate than the selection of the major for this most important branch of instruction. Conscientious, enthusiastic, and thoroughly competent, he had the target ranges established, and the Division at work firing within a week, and this was continued daily (Sunday excepted), until just before the Division left the Park.

On July 26 a division rifle competition was held, each regiment furnishing a team of 12 men; ten shots were fired off hand by each man, at 160 yards (possible score 600 points). The highest score was made by the Eighth Massachusetts with 481 points; the lowest score was 409.

In the course of the instruction it was found that many men had never fired a gun and were correspondingly ignorant of this most important requirement. What would they have done in the line of battle? Well, I will tell you. Those who were not killed would have been perfectly demoralized until they either ran away or perhaps were wounded, in which case they would have added vastly to the cares of the Division Commander and his medical staff. In either case, they would have been of no possible use except as stretcher bearers. Nothing could be more objectionable on the part of the high military authorities than to send such men under fire, and there is no possible excuse for it.

Other measures taken to prepare the Division for active service were careful instruction in guard duty, the service of advance guards and outposts, by battalions and regiments; litter drill and "first aid."

As it was rumored that the First Corps would be sent against Havana, orders were issued for the formation of a pioneer detachment in each regiment to consist of one officer, two non-commissioned officers and ten privates, to be specially selected for their practical knowledge of the duties of pioneers, viz: the removal of obstructions, corduroying roads, the building, repair and destruction of simple bridges, culverts, railroad beds and embankments, and the use of high explosives. No difficulty whatever was experienced in finding the men who in the discharge of their duties rendered most valuable services to the Division.

To give the brigade and regimental commanders some idea of the difficulty of forming the Division in line of battle on broken and obstructed ground, and to exercise the officers and men in preserving the line, supplying ammunition, and caring for the wounded,—problems in which the entire Division took part, were carried out practically.

Many of you will doubtless remember those exercises and how difficult it was to form the Division in line without wide gaps between brigades, or to move it in any direction without breaking the formation. These problems, although extremely simple, were of great benefit as a relief to the monotony of drill, and in testing the field efficiency of the medical and ordinance services.

In the meantime, the Corps Commander, with the First Division of the Corps, left the Park en route to Cuba and Porto Rico, and on August 15th I went to Lexington to select a camp for the Third Division, in which the typhoid had spread rapidly, and on August 21st, the movement to Lexington began. Although we left between three and four hundred men in the hospital when we moved to Lexington, the Division was so thoroughly impregnated with this disease and with malarial fever that more cases were inevitable, and the hospital of 1000 beds, which was established in anticipation of this very contingency, proved inadequate, and but for the timely removal of the convalescents to other places, would have needed a large extension. Those of the regiment now living will not have forgotten the struggle which then took place to stamp out the typhoid fever. It was a fight to a finish, in which every available means known to medical and sanitary science was used during a period of three months.

For the information of those members of the regiment who have joined since the war with Spain, and because it was the most serious condition which confronted the regiment during its service in the field, I venture to give some account of our efforts to overcome this dread disease.

In selecting and arranging the site of the Division encampment, I was influenced more by sanitary requirements than by any other considerations whatever. To the camp of each regiment fifty acres of cleared land were allowed. This insured wide company streets, sufficient space between tents to admit of their being moved, plenty of room for the regimental and battalion staffs, guard tents, cook tents, sinks, corrals, and regimental parade grounds, with sufficient isolation from neighboring regiments.

Ground was also set aside for division and brigade headquarters, and for a general parade ground, the division hospital and the various departments of supply, and these were far enough removed from each other and the troops to prevent any encroachment. All told, the Division occupied about 1000 acres.

The different camps were then laid out by the division engineer, aided by the pioneer corps, and a copious supply of pure water secured, and all the sinks (kitchen and men's), were dug, ditched and housed, and tent floors made ready before the first regiment of the Division arrived, so that there was no occasion for defiling the ground or for unnecessary exposure to the weather.

As soon as practicable after the regiments arrived, the following sanitary orders were carried into effect. A non-commissioned officer was placed in charge of every sink, who received his instructions from the regimental surgeon as to the use of chloride of lime, quick lime, crude petroleum and corrosive sublimate, large quantities of which were provided by the medical purveyor and chief quartermaster of the Division.

For example, a box of the chloride of lime was kept in each of the men's sinks and it was the duty of the non-commissioned officer in charge to see that a small quantity was thrown into the sink three times daily, and that the sink floors were scrubbed every morning and then mopped with a solution of corrosive sublimate. All the men's sinks were lighted at night. Quick-lime and crude petroleum were also used in all the sinks, not only as disinfectants, but to keep the flies away.

Tents were moved once each week, the sites vacated thoroughly sprinkled with quick-lime, the under surface of the floors lime washed, and the tent floors mopped with a solution of corrosive sublimate; tent walls were raised, clothing and bedding thoroughly aired daily; all bed sacks were filled with clean straw, the old straw burned, and the bed sacks boiled every month, and whenever a man was sent to the hospital his bed sack received the same treatment; all water barrels were burned out every two weeks, all stable manure removed from the camp daily, and together with all other refuse, burned, and for this purpose regimental or brigade crematories were constructed as might be most convenient.

Facilities were provided in each company for washing and bathing and every soldier was required to bathe at least twice each week and to keep his hair and beard neatly trimmed. All drinking water was boiled and filtered and the men cautioned against drinking water of any other kind.

The indiscriminate sale and use of farm products, garden truck, fruit, pies, cakes, and all soft drinks were prohibited, nor were hucksters permitted in any of the regimental camps without the written authority of the commanding officer.

To insure the execution of these instructions, a division sanitary inspector was appointed, whose duty it was to visit the camp of each regiment daily and, together with the medical officer on duty and officer of the day, make inspection of the police of the camp, giving all needful orders for the correction of sanitary abuses and defects.

As no regimental hospitals were contemplated by the War Department, and none were permitted in Camp Hamilton, men sick enough to require treatment in bed were removed to the division hospital. On arriving there their clothing was removed and carefully disinfected, labeled and packed away, and if their cases were of doubtful character they were sent to the detention ward until the nature of their disease could be determined, when they were disposed of accordingly.

At 2 P. M. daily a medical officer of each regiment reported at the division hospital, and with the medical officer in charge of the wards, visited the sick of his regiment and decided whether they should be returned to duty or not. This had a very good effect, as it brought the medical officers of the regiment into daily contact with the sick of their own regiments, which was a great comfort to them, and besides kept the medical officers fully informed of their condition.

As far as possible the sick of the different regiments were kept together, and no one except the regimental and company commanders, the medical officers, chaplains, and immediate relatives of the sick were allowed to visit them. This restriction was rendered necessary by the danger of infection in typhoid cases, and to prevent the excitement and noise caused by visitors.

I am aware that many of the requirements and restrictions ordered at that time were considered harsh and unnecessary and gave rise to some bad feeling and grumbling, but as they had the unqualified approval of the medical staff, I had no hesitation in enforcing them. That they were fully justified was clearly shown by the results.

Within a short time after our arrival in Lexington the number of sick increased so rapidly that the division hospital was filled to overflowing. But in the course of five or six weeks, and as a consequence of our strenuous efforts, the number began to diminish, until finally, and before the Division moved to Georgia in November, not a single case remained in the Division outside of the hospitals, and no new cases were ever reported to me while the Division remained in service.

Of the part taken by the Eighth Massachusetts in this heroic struggle, a great deal might be written by way of commendation. It is probably sufficient to say that Colonel Pew and his officers appeared to realize fully the gravity of the situation, and relying on the good discipline and high order of intelligence of the rank and file, had but little difficulty in carrying out the sanitary regulations of the camp, thus preserving the lives of many of the men.

Before leaving this subject, and at the risk of exhausting your patience, I can not refrain from giving you a word of warning. Of all the diseases which infest sedentary camps, such as those established in the United States and Cuba during the recent war, none is more insidious or deadly in its effects than typhoid fever.

It would be very unusual indeed for a regiment of the National Guard or of Volunteers to assemble in camp at any time without bringing with it at least one case of undeveloped typhoid fever. Now, a week may elapse before such a case is discovered and reported, and in the meantime the man who has it may have given it to a dozen other men through fecal and urinary discharges, and through carelessness in using the sink in washing his hands and bathing, and in keeping his clothing absolutely free from that kind of pollution. Hence the importance of personal cleanliness and the strictest enforcement of all the sanitary rules which may be established.

In a camp of regular soldiers thoroughly instructed in the duties of sentinels, and not afraid to enforce their orders, this is not difficult, but among volunteers where guard duty is often not understood, or is looked upon with disfavor, and but little sense of individual responsibility, it is a very difficult matter, and such camps may speedily and easily become hot beds for the spread of typhoid and other diseases.

Bear this in mind and resolve that should the exigencies of the military service ever require you to go into camp again, you will not only keep yourselves clean, but will insist on a clean camp, clean kitchens and sinks, clean food and mess kits, and that you will mercilessly punish all infractions of sanitary rules, as well as the sentinels or other guards who knowingly permit them.

I remained in command of the Second Division until November 16th, when I was relieved, and on the 21st assumed command of the Second Brigade at Americus. Although I knew the Eighth Massachusetts quite well, I now determined to know it thoroughly, and on November 28th, commenced an inspection of the regiment by battalion, and in order that every officer and enlisted man might attend, it was ordered that no guard or other detail would be furnished by the battalion under inspection.

I began with the First Battalion of the Eighth Massachusetts and wound up with the Third Battalion, giving each just such a critical inspection as was prescribed for regulars. In other words, I made a careful examination of the arms and equipments, clothing, camp and garrison equipage, mess books, records and drills of each company, battalion and regiment.

Target practice was resumed as soon as the Brigade was settled in camp, and each regiment was given the most careful and detailed instruction in outpost duties and those of the advanced guard. An effort was also made to instruct the Brigade in the principles of a front and flank attack, beginning at short distances, which were extended finally to 3000 yards over obstructed ground, the enemy's position being indicated, and as far as possible the exercises made as realistic as possible.

The month spent at Americus was full of professional interest and profit, and caused me to realize more fully the very great advantage of a brigade camp over larger ones, and how much better it would have been at the outset to have fully equipped each regiment in its State camp, to then have assembled it with other regiments in a brigade camp—preferably in the same State—commanded by a thoroughly competent and active general officer, there to receive the preliminary instruction so easily given under such circumstances, and so next to impossible in the camp of a Division of an army corps.

The Eighth Massachusetts and Twelfth New York were fairly well equipped when I joined them in the Park, but the First South Carolina regiment was without arms, equipment or uniforms. The men ate with their fingers for several weeks, and relied on such crude dishes as could be improvised from tomato-cans, etc. I have no doubt that much of the complaint made by this regiment about the rations, was chiefly due to this.

The Eighth Massachusetts in two detachments left Americus January 6th and 8th, and arrived in Matanzas January 10th and 13th and went into camp near Fort San Severino on the west side of the bay.

On the 12th of January the last of the fifteen thousand Spanish soldiers under Generals Merina and Molina, composing the garrison of Matanzas, sailed away, and about 8 o'clock in the evening, General Bettancourt and his detachment of insurgent troops marched into the city, which went wild with excitement. The First Battalion Eighth Massachusetts and Twelfth New York were held in readiness that night lest there should be any hostile demonstration towards the Spanish residents of the city. It turned out that the natives were so intent on celebrating the departure of the Spanish troops that no attention was paid to anything else, and apart from that the night passed quietly.

On January 12th Major-General J. H. Wilson relieved me from command of the Department of Matanzas, and on the following day I was assigned to command the District of Matanzas with headquarters in the city. Up to this time I had been interested chiefly in arranging for the evacuation of the Spaniards, in caring for the troops, and getting them settled in camp.

On January 5th a bureau of street cleaning and sanitation had been established as the result of a careful inspection of the city, and the prevalence of yellow fever during the preceding month. Six deaths had occurred, and we were all somewhat solicitous about the future. Two cases occurred, one a civilian who died, the other a soldier, who recovered.

As a precautionary measure the old yellow fever hospital was burned and a new one of canvas erected near the district hospital. I then gave my attention to the very serious and delicate duties connected with the administration of the District and City of Matanzas, in accordance with the laws of war, and the orders of the President.

Although by virtue of the military occupation of Cuba martial law prevailed, it was the President's wish that as far as possible the inhabitants might be secured in their persons, and property, and in all their private rights and relations as long as they performed their duties, and that they be protected in their homes, their employments, and in the free exercise of their religion. That as far as possible the municipal laws such as related to the private rights of persons and property, and provided for the punishment of crime, should be continued in force, to be administered by the ordinary tribunals substantially as they were before the occupation.

The frame work of municipal government in Cuba was excellent, far better in some respects than our own, but Spaniards filled nearly all the insular, provincial and municipal offices and municipal government was under the direct supervision of the provincial and insular governments. Nevertheless, the municipal organization was complete, excellent of its kind, and ample for the government of the city and district, and I determined at the outset to instil into the local authorities a proper sense of their responsibilities and authority as the agent of a free and liberal government, and to require them to perform all their duties, using the troops only when necessary to aid their efforts to maintain law and order and to prevent any disorderly conduct on the part of the officers or men. To this end a provost marshal with a suitable guard was appointed and Fort San Severino was converted into a military prison.

The scope of this article will not admit of a detailed account of all that was done for the people and City of Matanzas during our stay there. It is probably sufficient to say that we cleaned and disinfected the city and established a system of sanitation so thorough that a recent traveler through the island told me that Matanzas was the cleanest and healthiest city in Cuba, and that there had been no case of yellow fever there since we left. To accomplish this a certain number of our officers and non-commissioned officers and men associated with the various city officials, who were, however, required to take the lead, the officers acting as advisers and assistants when necessary.

Matanzas was suffering at that time from the effects of the reconcentration ordered by General Weyler, and the population has been increased from about 25,000 to 40,000, chiefly refugees. As soon as it could be done these people were returned to their old homes, or provided with homes elsewhere. In the meantime, they, together with all other indigent poor, to the number of 19,373, were fed by the United States Government. Prior to this many—chiefly children—died of starvation, and many more would have followed but for the timely arrival of the troops.

Some idea of what was done by the Army for the people of Matanzas may be gathered from the vital statistics of the city. During the year 1897 there were 6,729 recorded deaths, and in 1898, 5,972, or an average of 6,350 or over 500 deaths per month. In April, 1899, the last report rendered before we left showed a total of 68 deaths, quite a perceptible decrease in four months. I have enlarged somewhat on this subject because the results of our efforts were so gratifying, and because the Eighth Massachusetts took an important part in this work, especially Chaplain George D. Sanders.

Another most useful and special service rendered by the Eighth was a settlement of the first strike ever inaugurated in Matanzas. Labor unions and strikes were unknown before American occupation, but it was not long before labor union delegates from the States arrived in Havana, and soon unions were formed and rumors of strikes reached Matanzas, to be followed later by two delegates who organized a union and started a strike for shorter hours and higher pay among the employees of the railway and the stevedores engaged in loading the annual sugar crop, then arriving in vast quantities. As a large number of the native workmen did not care to strike, those who did immediately began the kind of intimidation usually resorted to in this country, and several were assaulted and more threatened, and the situation became serious.

At this point the manager of the road appealed to me for protection and I sent two companies of the Eighth to the freight yards to see that protection was given. I gave no instructions but relied on the experience and good sense of the officers and men, and they ended the strike to my entire satisfaction. No doubt they can recall the circumstances, and the very effective measures resorted to.

That they were good and sufficient may be inferred from the fact that no one ever complained of them, except the two delegates, and they were told they could go to jail or leave town, which latter they did by the first available train, and peace and contentment prevailed thereafter to the end.

On the 20th of January commenced the festivities to celebrate the evacuation of Cuba by the Spaniards, and on February 22nd another fiesta was held in honor of General Maximo Gomez, at that time the idol of the Cubans. Upon both occasions the entire population thronged the streets and the greatest excitement prevailed. General Gomez remained in Matanzas three days, and with his departure the city settled down into its usual calm.

Thanks to the tact and excellent conduct of the troops, nothing occurred to disturb the festivities; the crowds were handled with great skill and with due regard to their susceptibilities and their first taste of personal liberty—not only as individuals but as a community. And to the very great honor of the troops it may be said that this was ever the rule in dealing with the residents of the city, no complaint of misconduct, public or private, having ever been made to me.

The Eighth Massachusetts was especially fortunate in gaining the good will of the Cubans, and when it left Matanzas was the recipient of a letter of enthusiastic commendation from the mayor of the city. A copy of the letter was sent to me, and the very complimentary expressions of the mayor were neither exaggerated nor unmerited. The regiment deserved a great deal from the people of Matanzas, and it was very gratifying to me to know that they appreciated your services.

I regret that in this brief sketch I have not been able to go more into detail concerning the duties, the trials and successful achievements of the Eighth Massachusetts during the Spanish War. It is sufficient for me to say as your brigade and division commander, that while we were together, a day rarely passed that I did not ride through your camp, turn out the guard and take a general look around, and on every Sunday make a careful inspection, and it gives me the greatest pleasure to say that in point of efficiency the regiment had few equals, and no superiors, among the volunteer regiments which came under my observation.

Proper esprit de corps and a high sense of duty pervaded the regiment, due in great measure to the excellent example of Colonel Pew and his field officers, Lieutenant-Colonels Bailey and Stopford and Majors Eldredge and Graves. During the summer of 1907 I visited the regiment in camp at South Framingham and was glad to note that the instruction and the experience of the war had not been forgotten.

In conclusion I beg to remind you that while all military efforts should be directed towards the preparation of soldiers for the great tests of the battlefield, because so much may depend on the result, there are other tests which if successfully borne, entitle soldiers to as much credit as good conduct under fire, although they may not bring them as much renown.

Among disciplined soldiers it is the exception to find one who does not behave well under fire, but it by no means follows that the bravest will not falter in their duty if beset in a sedentary camp with plague, pestilence or famine. It is not as much of a strain on the nerves to see a soldier killed in battle as to see him die of an epidemic disease, nor do I believe it is as hard for the soldier. When a soldier goes under fire, he is facing the very contingency for which he enlisted and for which he has been trained. He knows he may be shot and wounded or killed, but his duty lies unequivocally before him and appeals directly to his pride and to his manhood in a way disease can never do. Who will say then that the men who fought the battle of San Juan deserved more credit than those who died from typhoid fever while acting as volunteer nurses to their comrades or in the discharge of other duties, when by getting a furlough or running away they could have avoided all risk. The excitement of battle and the example of brave men have made a hero of many a man who but for that would have run away.

But in a typhoid fever camp death lurks everywhere and there is no stimulating excitement to strengthen those who have to face it.

Therefore the highest honors should not be given solely to those soldiers who are so fortunate as to do their duty under fire, but to those as well who do their duty where-ever they may be, regardless of consequences, and in all the circumstances which may attend them.

Do not therefore complain, as I have heard some of you do, or tinge your recollections of the war with regret, because you did not take part in the only battle that was fought, but, hoping for better luck next time, find supreme satisfaction in the reflection that you did your whole duty in places where death was quite as imminent as on San Juan Hill, and that no other regiment, regular or volunteer, could have done more.

J. P. Sanger,

Major General, U. S. A., Retired.

The Call to Arms

Between February 15th, when the U. S. S. Maine was destroyed in the harbor of Havana, and March 28th, 1898, when Congress received the report of the Naval Board of Inquiry, declaring the Maine to have been destroyed by an exterior explosion, public opinion in the United States was crystalizing in favor of declaring war with Spain and recognizing the independence of Cuba.

On March 16th a meeting of the officers of the Eighth Regiment Infantry, M. V. M., was held in the Headquarters of the regiment at Salem. The officers, with one exception, authorized the Colonel to tender their services as part of any quota Massachusetts might be called upon to furnish. Company commanders were directed to interview each member of their companies and report to the Adjutant the number of men ready to volunteer. The reports of the various company commanders, show that by April 1st, all but eleven men had authorized the Colonel to tender their services. It is said that the Eighth was the first National Guard Regiment in the country ready, after a careful canvass of its officers and men, to volunteer.

On March 29th resolutions declaring war with Spain were introduced into both houses of Congress. Congress had appropriated $50,000,000 for national defence, and the Legislature of Massachusetts followed with an appropriation of $500,000 to equip troops.

War was coming and troops were to be needed. This much was certain, but no one could tell how the necessary troops would be raised. It was rumored that the military advisors of the government were divided in their councils, and that some favored the retention of the Militia for local defence, and the organization of new regiments of volunteers to fill the expected call. For weeks the Adjutant was ready to tender the services of the Eighth as a militia, or volunteer regiment, whichever way the call came. The tension was so great that on April 22nd the following letter was sent to the Governor:—

"Headquarters Eighth Regiment Infantry.

Massachusetts Volunteer Militia,

Salem, Mass., April 22, 1898.

Maj. Gen. Samuel Dalton,

Adjutant General, State of Massachusetts,

State House, Boston, Mass.

Sir:—

I have the honor to represent to the Commander-in-Chief that the officers and men of the Eighth Regiment are willing and anxious to respond to any call for volunteers, and I hereby tender the services of the Regiment, if agreeable to the wishes of the Commander-in-Chief, to form a part of any quota that Massachusetts may be called upon to furnish.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

William A. Pew, Jr.

Colonel."

The above letter was acknowledged by the following communication:—

"Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Executive Department,

Boston, Mass, April 22, 1898.

Col. William A. Pew, Jr.,

Headquarters Eighth Regiment Infantry, M. V. M.,

Salem, Mass.

My dear Sir:—

I have this moment had placed in my hands your letter of April 22nd addressed to Maj. Gen. Samuel Dalton, expressing to the Commander-in-Chief the willingness and desire of the officers and men of the Eighth Regiment to respond to any call for volunteers and tendering the services of the Regiment, if agreeable to the wishes of the Commander-in-Chief, to form a part of any quota that Massachusetts may be called upon to furnish.

I appreciate highly the zeal and patriotism of your offer, which will be placed upon file for future reference.

Very truly yours,

Roger Wolcott."

On April 23rd the President called for one hundred twenty-five thousand volunteers, and on April 25th war was declared with Spain. During the evening of the 25th, Governor Wolcott was notified by a telegram from the Secretary of War, that the Massachusetts quota, under the call of the President, would be four regiments of infantry, and three batteries of heavy artillery. Nothing was yet decided how these regiments should be raised.

The infantry organizations in Massachusetts Militia were at this time five line regiments and two corps of cadets. This information as to the Massachusetts quota increased the suspense, as it was apparent, that even if militia regiments were accepted, all could not go. About this time the newspapers published statements from the Governor, which were construed to mean, the state militia would be used for local defence, as there was much talk of a descent upon the Massachusetts coast by Cevera's fleet, which was then rendezvouing at the Cape Verde Islands.

The suspense of the militia was not relieved until late in the afternoon of April 27th, when the Governor received a letter from the Secretary of War, requesting him to furnish four regiments of infantry to serve for the period of two years unless sooner discharged. In his letter the Secretary of War expressed a desire that as far as practicable, the National Guard be given preference.

To meet this summons to arms, the Governor, by an order issued April 28th, designated as the four infantry regiments to be offered the privilege of volunteering under this call, the Second, Sixth, Eighth and Ninth. The commanding officers of these regiments were required to cause an individual canvass to be made of their subordinate officers and enlisted men, to ascertain and make careful record of those desiring to volunteer. These were to be held subject to future orders and at the earliest possible day, mustered into the service of the United States.

On the same evening that this communication was received from the Secretary of War, the Governor notified the Colonel of the Eighth Regiment to report to him in person the next morning at the State House, Boston. Colonel William A. Pew, Jr. immediately notified all the officers of the regiment to meet him at the State House the following afternoon at 2 o'clock. The commanding officers of the four regiments designated, to be given the privilege of volunteering, met the Governor at the State House in the forenoon of April 28th, and received their official orders. They were directed to recruit their companies to seventy-four men, and were informed that the field, staff, and company officers would be appointed by the Governor, upon the recommendation of the commanding officer of each regiment.

At 2 o'clock in the afternoon, Colonel Pew met the officers of the Eighth at the State House, and arranged the details for the organization of the regiment. The various company commanders had already received orders from Regimental Headquarters to secure a list of recruits, so that if called into the active service, they would have their companies at war strength. The militia companies at this time were allowed sixty men in the State service.

From the State House, company commanders immediately proceeded to their home stations, and began recruiting to seventy-four men.

Although the night of April 28th was stormy, and rain fell in torrents, excitement was high, and the company armories of the Eighth were filled with militiamen, and recruiting was brisk. There was no difficulty in securing the additional men.

In about all the cities and towns immediately following the call for troops, Volunteer Aid Societies or Relief Committees were formed at mass meetings, and various sums of money were raised to equip the volunteers or to look after their families.

On April 29th, the Eighth Regiment was ordered to report at the State Camp Grounds at South Framingham, on Thursday, May 5th, at 11 o'clock, A. M. The camp was placed under the command of Col. E. P. Clark, the senior officer.

From April 28th to May 5th, was a continuous round of excitement and bustle in the armories.

The companies were ordered to assemble on Lowell Street near the Union Station in Boston not later than 10.30, May 5th. The scenes about the armories of the various companies on May 5th was most pathetic, as the wives, mothers, or sweethearts of the men gathered for the farewell. In every instance the companies were escorted to the station by local or military bodies, and the demonstrations which took place as the companies marched through the crowded streets had not been duplicated since the call of President Lincoln was answered in 1861.

At Newburyport, the public and parochial schools were given a half holiday, and the streets were decorated with flags and bunting. Company A was escorted to the railroad station by the Mayor and members of the City Government, the Grand Army Post, and members of the Fire Department. The streets were filled with thousands of people, who displayed their enthusiasm by cheers and the waving of flags and handkerchiefs. A field piece was fired at brief intervals and the church bells and steam whistles joined in the chorus of God speeds.

At Amesbury, the streets through which Company B passed, were packed with humanity. Whistles of the factories were blown, bells were rung, and there was a general outburst of enthusiasm. The company was escorted to the train by the Grand Army Veterans and members of the High School Battalion.

At Marblehead, cheering crowds greeted the members of Company C, under the escort of the Grand Army Post and a delegation of citizens. Previous to starting from the Armory, the Selectmen spoke words of farewell to the soldiers.

In Lynn, patriotism was at fever heat. The factories and schools closed, and thousands lined the streets. Flags were flying from all staffs, and many were carried by the people along the line of march. Companies D and I were escorted to the station by General Lander Post, G. A. R., and the English and Classical High School Battalions. The Mayor and members of the City Government reviewed the parade. At Central Square, near the station, twenty thousand people gathered, and as the train bearing the Lynn volunteers steamed out of the station, there arose a mighty cheer for the soldier boys.

In Beverly, business was suspended, and the citizens turned out en masse to bid good bye to Company E. The company was escorted by the Grand Army Post, Fire Department, school children, and a cavalcade of citizens.

At Haverhill, Company F and the Regimental Drum Corps were given a most enthusiastic send off. The company was escorted by the Grand Army Post and Sons of Veterans. Mayor Chase delivered a farewell address at the City Hall, after which the line of march was taken to the station, where a crowd, numbering fifteen thousand, witnessed their departure.

At Gloucester, Company G marched through lanes of cheering citizens, the escort consisting of the Grand Army Post, the Fourth of July Committee, the High School Battalion, and the Sons of Veterans. The procession was led by the Mayor. Hon. W. W. French presented the Company with a silk flag on behalf of citizens, and the gift was accepted by Captain Edward J. Horton for the company.

Salem witnessed scenes of enthusiasm as Company H marched away. The streets were packed, and thousands of small flags were waved by the cheering citizens as the company marched to the station, escorted by the Second Corps of Cadets, Grand Army Post, Naval Veterans, Letter Carriers and Clerks, the Salem Light Infantry Veteran Association, the Veteran Firemen Association, and a barouche containing among others, Francis D. Cahill, Salem's survivor of the Maine explosion. The Mayor and the City Government reviewed the parade at City Hall, and a large crowd packed the streets near the station to witness the train, containing the members of the company, pull out for Boston.

In Danvers, the people were early astir to give Company K a rousing farewell. It was escorted through the principal streets by a cavalcade, the Grand Army Post, High School Cadets, and a body of citizens.

Lawrence turned out in force to speed the departure of Company L. At the Armory, Rev. Dr. H. E. Barnes offered prayer, after which the men marched to the station escorted by the Grand Army Post and Battery C. As the train bore the company out of the station, Battery C fired a salute, and the whistles of the locomotives in the engine yard mingled with the cheers that arose from thousands of throats.

At Somerville, on the evening before departure, Company M was entertained by the citizens at Union Hall. The next morning they were escorted to the station by a large company of citizens, the Grand Army Posts, and members of the Relief Corps.

The reception of the regiment in Boston was equally enthusiastic. The Evening Transcript described the scenes along the line of march as follows:—

"From 9 o'clock this morning until the order to march was given, the Union Station was filled with cheering thousands and marching companies. They came by different trains, according to the places from which they started. As the companies left the train, they formed in the train shed, and marched to Lowell Street, where the parade was formed, with the right of line resting on Causeway Street. At 10.50 o'clock the regiment had formed on Lowell Street. An orderly announced that all of the companies had arrived at their positions in the line. Colonel Pew gave the command, and the clear, shrill notes of the bugle echoed along the line. Just then the sun, which had been hidden behind gray and threatening clouds, broke out, and the men welcomed this as a good omen in their coming service. The regiment swung off to the tune of the 'Stars and Stripes Forever' by the Eighth Regiment Band. Half way down the line was the Fife and Drum Corps playing 'The Girl I Left Behind Me.' Lowell Street, Merrimac Streets, and in fact all of the streets about the Union Station were crowded by thousands, and the various companies were given a most enthusiastic reception all along the line of march, which was over the following streets:—Merrimac to Haymarket Square, Washington and School, Beacon, Arlington and Boylston Streets to Huntington Avenue, a special train being taken at the Huntington Avenue station of the Boston & Albany R. R.

Far down Beacon Street could be seen the crowding thousands from a point of vantage on the State House steps; people were standing on tiptoe and craning their necks for a glimpse of the approaching troops. Presently the strains of martial music floated from below, mingled with the subdued and far away cheers which heralded the approach of the soldiers. The cheerings grew nearer and louder. One could catch now and again the air of the stirring march, and now the platoon of mounted police swung around the turn. On a chestnut horse at the head of the regiment, came Colonel William A. Pew, Jr. of Salem.

The head of the line passed Park Street and approached the State House steps. The cheering grew continuous, and there was a great waving of flags and handkerchiefs. General Curtis Guild, Jr. stepped to the side of the railing and swung his hat, calling for three cheers for Colonel Pew. They were given with a will, the thousands packed outside of the police lines taking up the cry. Colonel Pew and his staff saluted, and the review was in progress.

To none of the troops which have passed in review before Governor Wolcott and his staff at the State House, has there been given such a demonstration as that accorded to the Eighth Regiment this morning. It was shortly after 11 o'clock when the head of the line reached the corner of Park and Beacon streets, and from the moment that the first company had passed in review until the last of the batch of raw recruits which brought up the rear had gone from view, there was one continuous round of applause and cheering. General Curtis Guild, Jr. led in the cheering at the State House, and every time that he waved his hat there was an answering thunder of cheers. There were cheers for Colonel Pew, for the Eighth Regiment, and Essex County. Old Glory was cheered to the echo, and the gathered multitude was not too hoarse to give three and a tiger for the raw recruits who brought up the rear. Governor Wolcott and his staff reviewed the parade as usual, from the lower steps at the entrance to the State House. Above the upper steps were packed with gaily dressed women and enthusiastic men. The balconies were crowded, and the streets in all directions, as far as the eye could see, were jammed with crowding thousands. No more soldierly looking body of men had passed the State Capitol for years than the Eighth Regiment, which passed in review on its way to the front this morning.

The Commanding Officer and Staff were mounted, this being the first regiment parading with these officers mounted. The men were in heavy marching order, with rations for twenty-four hours in their haversacks. Officers and men of the whole regiment wore their campaign hats, and this gave them a businesslike appearance that seemed to say,—'We are going to the front to work.'"

Muster In

Shortly after 2 o'clock on the afternoon of May 5th, the Eighth marched onto the State Camp Grounds at South Framingham. The Second and Ninth Regiments turned out with a hearty welcome as the Fife and Drum Corps swung through the gate playing "Teddy Was a Sojer."

When the four volunteer regiments were mustered into the service, they dispensed with bands. The Eighth, however, took its drum corps, which as early as March 16th had volunteered, through the Drum Major. Drum Major Thomas was and still is (1908) an institution in the regiment. No one remembers when he was not Drum Major. Rumor says he was drummer boy at Bunker Hill, Lundy Lane and Chepultepec, and all know he marched with Sherman to the sea. Invincible against fever and malaria, he is never sick. Always busy, never complaining or tired, he is a cheerful regimental inspiration. Time does not change him, except as it adds new glories in the form of service stripes. His reveille from Low Scotch, through Austrian, Hessian, Double Drag, Dutch, to Quick Scotch, is always welcome as an eye opener. It is a tradition that the Colonel gets up before reveille for the mere pleasure of seeing Thomas lead, and of watching the drum sticks rattle. It is certainly true that the regiment was never late when Thomas led the band.

Camp was soon established. The Second Regiment, which assembled May 3rd, occupied the right of the line; next came the Ninth, which came into camp May 4th, followed by the Eighth. On the left was reserved a position for the Sixth, which was to assemble the next day. Adjutant Edward H. Eldredge was detailed as Brigade Adjutant General, and his place on the Regimental Staff was filled by Lieutenant Thomas D. Barroll of L Company.

Dame Rumor was soon busy spreading reports that the United States, personified by impartial and inexorable army surgeons, was rejecting men as unfit for foreign service. Already ten officers of the Second had been rejected for physical deficiencies. What pledges, words and wills had been unable to accomplish, the dread of a full service medical examination accomplished, and officers and men, who for years had smoked or broken minor rules of health, stopped on the moment to brace themselves for this ordeal.

The officers were ordered before the doctors the day after arriving in camp, and at intervals of twenty minutes they reported in groups of threes. Major Dudley B. Purbeck, who had recently suffered from a serious illness, was rejected. There was much excitement in the streets of Company C when it was reported that Captain James Tucker, Lieutenants Edgar J. Marshall and Frank B. Denning had failed to pass. The Selectmen and influential citizens of Marblehead were appealed to, and in some way secured a re-examination and a reversal of the finding in the case of Lieutenant Denning, who was finally mustered and commissioned as Captain.

After the officers had passed, the enlisted men faced the surgeons, the companies going up in alphabetical order. Many men were rejected and sent home. It was the rule not to muster a company until it had a full complement of qualified officers and men. The process was slow, and it was not until May 10th that the first company of the Eighth was mustered, followed in rapid succession by the others. The last company was mustered May 11th, and the Colonel sworn in.

The ceremony of mustering was interesting and impressive. Companies were marched to Brigade Headquarters, with the men arranged alphabetically in line. Facing the colors, taking off their hats, and raising their right hands, after roll call, they subscribed the following oath administered by Captain Erastus M. Weaver, U. S. A.:—

"All and each of you do solemnly swear that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that you will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies whomsoever, and that you will obey the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over you, according to the rules and articles of war, so help you God."

There was much pleasant rivalry between the Eighth and Ninth Regiments in a race to be first mustered in the United States service. The last company of the Ninth was mustered in just before the last company of the Eighth, and the Colonel of the Eighth being the last officer in the Regiment to be mustered into the service, was mustered in before the Colonel of the Ninth. The important question was never settled, which regiment was first mustered into the United States service.

After a company was mustered into the service, its Captain was given a copy of the Articles of War, and directed to read them to his company. From this tiresome reading of all the articles at once, a company wag said it was the general impression that the whole regiment was ordered by the President to suffer death or such other penalty as the court martial should prescribe.

The designation of the Regiments as finally mustered into the United States service, early became a matter of interest. It was rumored that in as much as Massachusetts sent sixty-two regiments to the Civil War, the numbering of the regiments in the Spanish War was to begin where the numbering of the Civil War regiments left off. In that case the Eighth would be known as the Sixty-Third or Sixty-Fourth Regiment. This enumeration was followed in some states. The designation of the regiment was left to Governor Wolcott, who published as the official name, Eighth Regiment Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.

The facings on the uniform was immediately changed from blue to white, and a collar device adopted consisting of crossed rifles with the figure eight above, and the abbreviation "Mass." below the rifles.

During the stay at Framingham everyone was busy, recruits were drilled, the regiment was exercised in striking and pitching tents, company cooks and kitchen police were made familiar with the army ration, battalions and companies were drilled, guards were instructed, and the usual parade and daily ceremonies held. The days were crisp and clear; the evenings, however, were chilly, but the dampness was dissipated by roaring camp fires on the parade, about which the soldiers clustered until taps.

It was the intention of the Adjutant-General of Massachusetts to have the regiments leave the State in order of the seniority of the Colonels. This would give third place to the Eighth.

On May 13th, the Adjutant-General of the United States Army telegraphed the United States mustering officer at South Framingham to notify the Colonels of mustered regiments to report direct to the War Department when their regiments would be ready to leave the State. This notice was sent to the Headquarters of the Eighth and Ninth. Colonel Pew immediately telegraphed the War Department that the Eighth was ready to leave at once, and in a few hours received a telegraphic order to take the regiment to Chickamauga Park, Georgia. Owing to the lack of railroad transportation, it was impossible for the Regiment to get away until May 16th.

Saturday, May 14th, was Eighth Regiment day at Camp Dewey. On Friday evening as soon as the soldiers were notified that the regiment was to hold itself ready to move at once, they rushed to the telegraph station and sent word to their friends at home that if they wished to see them, they should come to Camp Dewey in the morning, as it was expected that the Regiment would be on its way south by Saturday night.

Early in the morning, the friends of the soldiers began to arrive on the field, and every train brought crowds until by noon there were hundreds from every town and city having a company in the regiment. As the families of the soldiers came into camp, they brought with them boxes and bundles of the good things which a New England housewife knows so well how to cook, and during the hours between drills, there were family picnics all about the camp.

In the afternoon, Governor Wolcott and some of his staff visited the camp to present the officers with their commissions in the United States service. After passing in review before His Excellency, the Regiment formed three sides of a hollow square, with officers in the center. The Governor and his party formed a fourth side. The square was surrounded by friends of the Regiment, who covered half of the great parade ground. The remarks of His Excellency were deeply impressive, and at times he visibly showed the emotion which he felt. In a voice audible to everyone on the field, Governor Wolcott said:—

"Men of Essex and Middlesex:—Two days ago your parting cheers made sweet music in the ears of your comrades of the Second Regiment as they left the Commonwealth in the high service of the United States of America. Today you obey the same summons, and are ready, as they were, to endure hardship and suffering in the same exalted cause.

Your cause, men of Massachusetts, is a just and righteous one. I greatly misread the heart of this great nation if the historian of the future shall not record that this war was entered upon by a mighty and free people, who had heard, as long as they could endure them, the sighs and groans of an oppressed neighboring population, bending beneath the tyranny of a nation of the old world.

It is to set free the oppressed and to bind up their wounds that you now enter the service of the United States. You will find yourselves shoulder to shoulder with the men of other states. Let there be no other rivalry than generous emulation, that you shall show that the men of Massachusetts, where valor calls for sacrifice, or where the duty of the soldier calls for prompt obedience and good discipline, are second to the sons of no other Commonwealth and no other State in the United States of America.

You leave with the prayers and the confidence of the people of this Commonwealth. Officially, as the Governor of the Commonwealth, I bid you Godspeed! And may the God of battles bring you victory and an honorable peace!

It is now my privilege and honor to present to the officers of the Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, United States Volunteers, the commissions under which they enter the service of the United States."

After presenting the commissions, Governor Wolcott said:—

"Colonel Pew:—You have a regiment worthy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and of the service of the United States of America."

The following officers received their commissions from Governor Wolcott on this occasion:—

Colonel—William A. Pew, Jr. of Salem.

Lieutenant Colonel—Edwin W. M. Bailey of Amesbury.

Majors—William Stopford of Beverly; Frank A. Graves of Marblehead; Edward H. Eldredge of Boston.

Adjutant—Lieutenant Thomas D. Barrol of Boston.

Quartermaster—Lieutenant Charles F. Wonson of Gloucester.

Surgeon—Major William Cogswell of Salem.

Assistant Surgeons—Lieutenant Thomas L. Jenkins of Topsfield; Lieutenant Frank P. T. Logan of Gloucester.

Chaplain—Rev. George D. Sanders of Gloucester.

Company A, Newburyport—Captain, Alexander G. Perkins; First Lieutenant, George W. Langdon; Second Lieutenant, George H. Dow.

Company B, Amesbury—Captain, Horace S. Bean; First Lieutenant, John M. Pettingill; Second Lieutenant, Frank Stinson.

Company C, Marblehead—Captain, Frank B. Denning; First Lieutenant, Linville H. Wardwell; Second Lieutenant, Frederic P. Smith.

Company D, Lynn—Captain, Charles T. Hilliker; First Lieutenant, Thomas J. Coby; Second Lieutenant, William F. Young.

Company E, Beverly—Captain, Frederick W. Stopford; First Lieutenant, Charles H. Farnham; Second Lieutenant, Francisco A. DeSousa.

Company F, Haverhill—Captain, William C. Dow; First Lieutenant, Per Justus Swanberg; Second Lieutenant, David E. Jewell.

Company G, Gloucester—Captain, Edward J. Horton; First Lieutenant, Charles M. McIsaac; Second Lieutenant, James C. Nutt.

Company H, Salem—Captain, Walter P. Nichols; First Lieutenant, George N. Jewett; Second Lieutenant, Augustus G. Reynolds.

Company I, Lynn—Captain, John E. Williams; First Lieutenant, Francis H. Downey; Second Lieutenant, William H. Perry.

Company K, Danvers—Captain, A. Preston Chase; First Lieutenant, Henry W. French; Second Lieutenant, Stephen N. Bond.

Company L, Lawrence—Captain, James Forbes; First Lieutenant, James H. Craig; Second Lieutenant, Roland H. Sherman.

Company M, Somerville—Captain, Herbert W. Whitten; First Lieutenant, George I. Canfield; Second Lieutenant, Frederick W. Pierce.

From May 14th to May 16th the Regiment waited, uncertain when its train transportation would arrive. Shortly after noon on the 16th, camp was struck. It was a damp and dreary day. There was no large crowd to cheer their departure, as the home stations of the companies were too remote, and the movement too sudden for the friends of the regiment to see them off. Late in the afternoon the regiment passed in review before Governor Wolcott, and took up its line of march for the railroad station. There it was quickly embarked in three sections. Each battalion had a section consisting of eleven cars, one for baggage, one for guard quarters, and two for each company. A Wagner sleeper was furnished on each section for the accommodation of the officers. The first section pulled out of the station at South Framingham at 6 o'clock, followed shortly afterwards by the others. The last section left at 6.30. The three sections carried 47 officers and 896 men.

Chickamauga

The route of the regiment to Chickamauga was through the valleys of the Hudson and Shennandoah. The cities of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and Knoxville, were seen in passing, but stops were only made to allow the officers to obtain meals for themselves and coffee for the men. The Government furnished travel rations for the men consisting of hard tack, canned corned beef, beans and tomatoes, and a money allowance for coffee. In their year of service, no one in the regiment ever discovered a use for canned tomatoes as a travel ration.

During the trip hard tack circulated as souvenirs among the girls at the various stops, usually inscribed with the donor's name and address, and given in exchange for pieces of ribbon and other feminine favors. Enthusiastic crowds were in evidence at all the stations, where they gathered to see the troop trains pass. The men were confined to the cars, but managed to carry on many flirtations and make exchanges through the windows. Every day they were taken out at some stop for a run around or a bit of setting up exercise, and once the Third Battalion took advantage of a mountain stream for bathing purposes.

On the morning of May 19th the regiment awoke to find itself in the Citico Freight Yard, just outside the city of Chattanooga, together with other troop trains containing the men of the Twelfth New York, and the Twenty-First Kansas, with whom the regiment subsequently brigaded. After spending a day in the freight yard, the sections began late in the afternoon to slowly travel the fourteen miles between Chattanooga and Chickamauga Park. At Battle Station the battalions disembarked, the baggage was piled near the track and left under guard, while the regiment enjoyed its first bivouac on a neighboring hill.

The Colonel reported to General Brooke and was told that a camp site would be assigned and transportation for the baggage furnished the following day.

Chickamauga Park is a National Reservation in the northwestern corner of the State of Georgia, embracing some ten squares miles of territory, and commemorates the battle which was fought there in 1863. The park is wooded, with here and there open fields. Much of the underbrush had been cleared away, and good dirt roads constructed by the Government. The water supply consisted of a few dozen wells, which had supported a small farming population before the Government purchased the land. The soil is clayey above a limestone formation, which frequently outcrops and renders digging difficult. The months of May and June are liable to be pleasant and dry, but in July and August, abundant rain turns the ground where vegetation is worn off, into a mire of sticky mud. On one side, the Park is bounded by Chickamauga Creek, meaning in the Indian tongue, "The River of Death", and into this creek the whole surface of the Park drains. The Government intended to organize on this ground the First, Third and Sixth Army Corps, and at one time assembled about 55,000 men for this purpose. The camp was named, Camp George H. Thomas, in honor of the gallant soldier who rendered conspicuous service to the Federal cause in the battle of Chickamauga.

The Eighth Regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, Third Division, First Army Corps. As Colonel William A. Pew, Jr. was the senior Colonel in the three regiments comprising this brigade, he was assigned to the command, pending the arrival of a Brigadier General, and the command of the Eighth Regiment devolved upon Lieutenant Colonel Edwin W. M. Bailey. Colonel Pew remained in command of the Brigade until June 29th, when he was succeeded by General Waites of Texas. Lieutenant Thomas D. Barroll, the Regimental Adjutant, and Lieutenant Charles F. Wonson, the Regimental Quartermaster, were detailed to Brigade Headquarters, and acted respectively as Adjutant General and Brigade Quartermaster. Their places in the regiment were filled by the detail of Lieutenant George W. Langdon, Acting Regimental Adjutant, and Lieutenant George I. Canfield, Acting Regimental Quartermaster, while Lieutenant Augustus G. Reynolds acted as Regimental Commissary.

The Third Division of the First Army Corps encamped on the Alexander Bridge road, near the southeastern corner of the Park, and about three miles from the railroad station. The camp of the Eighth was located in the woods, which were not dense, but more than sufficient for shade purposes. The tents of the Commanding Officer and his staff faced the west. Fifty paces in front of Headquarters were the tents of the line officers, and fifty paces in front of the quarters of the line officers were the heads of the Company streets. The tents of the men faced south, and were five paces apart. The Company streets were thirty paces wide. Thirty paces from the last tent in the Company street were the Company kitchens, and fifty paces in rear of the kitchens, were the Company sinks. The Eighth had the longest camp front of any Regiment in the Park, and later when sickness began to appear in the various camps, the wisdom of this arrangement was apparent.

Until May 23rd, when wagons and mules were issued to the Regiment, water was scarce. Every farm well in the vicinity was under guard, and had a line of details waiting for a turn at the pump handle. The wells were pumped dry many times daily. The details remained in line waiting for them to fill up. Chickamauga Creek was already contaminated by drainage, and long expeditions were made to obtain enough water for drinking and cooking purposes.

With the issuing of transportation, water was hauled for all purposes from the Blue Spring, some five miles from camp, until the Government constructed a pipe line and brought water to the vicinity of every camp. This pipe line water was never used in the Regiment for drinking, and during the whole stay of the Regiment at Chickamauga, all drinking water was daily brought from the Blue Spring.

The lack of water led to the circulation of many absurd rumors at home. It was reported that the wells had been poisoned by the Spanish spies, and that some had been detected in the act and shot. The water famine was much exaggerated in the reports from Chickamauga. The regiment undoubtedly suffered much inconvenience at first, but not greater than should have been expected from the hurried manner in which the troops were brought together.

For some time the army mule was a source of entertainment and worry to the regiment. The Government issued to each regiment twenty-seven wagons and one hundred and eight mules. Previous to this issue, these mules were assembled in a large corral near the railroad station. Usually, a detail of four men was sent to draw a wagon, four mules and harnesses. The mules were turned over to this detail, together with various parts of harnesses and a wagon, as they came from the factory. It was the duty of the detail to hold the mules and at the same time assemble harnesses and wagon. This was new work for most of the men, and the outfits were brought into camp after many sad experiences. It was not unusual for the detail to start from the corral driving in a careful manner, but after going a mile or two without mishap, the desire to speed a little overcame this caution, and the mules were urged to a trot or canter. As few of these animals had been broken, the first turn of a road presented an opportunity for a spill.

There was such a turn near the camp of the Eighth, and many of the men used to sit under the trees watching the details from other regiments navigate their mules around the bend. Often mules would continue on a straight course into the woods, and bid up when some tree separated the leaders and threw them down, with the wheel mules and wagon piled on top. This performance was at first a daily occurrence, and apparently resulted in no injury to the mules or men.

Another source of amusement was to hire the darkies who loafed about the camps, to break the mules. They were usually ridden bare back, and succeeded in throwing their riders several times before they would submit.

The mule quarters at first consisted of a cable stretched from tree to tree, to which the mules were fastened by halters. This was the practice in all the camps, and every night each regiment lost from ten to twelve mules. The mules usually wandered around the park until appropriated by some Quartermaster to make up his quota.

After submitting for a few nights to this loss, Lieutenant Colonel Bailey determined to construct a corral of rails, and for this purposes obtained permission to use the top rails of various fences along the Alexander road. This work of construction took place on a moonlight night, and in the morning it was discovered that the rail fences for a long distance had disappeared, and a large area in the camp of the Eighth was surrounded with a Virginia fence some 12 feet high. The detail charged with the work of construction stoutly maintained, when explanation was demanded, that none of them had taken anything but "top rails". With this improvised stable the Quartermaster of the Eighth was able to maintain his supply of mules.

There were two entrances to this corral at which sentinels were maintained, with orders to allow any stray mules to go in, but none to come out. Every morning an extra surplus of mules was found in the corral.

The wagon master, who was a civilian employee, and had been hired by the Quartermaster on account of his experience with mules, soon had his pick of all the mules in the Park. His first duty in the morning was a readjustment of mule property. Any surplus was held and delivered to inquiring Quartermasters who had lost mules. As all mules look alike to most Quartermasters, it came to pass in the course of time, that the wagon master of the Eighth had by far the best mule teams of any Regiment. It was, in fact, a selection from the mules of fifty odd regiments.

Apparently no one suspected this process of eliminating poor mules, and the corral of the Eighth was looked upon as a public benefaction, where lost mules could usually be found and identified. The process of identification was directed and controlled by the experienced wagon master of the Eighth.

During May the evenings were delightfully cool in contrast with the heat of the day. Work finished, with parade and after supper, the men collected in groups to sing, listen to the drum corps, or gossip about the future of the regiment. Rumors of immediate moves were always in circulation. It was generally believed that the First Corps was destined to invest Havana in the fall, but this belief was often shaken by rumors of orders to go to Manila, Honolulu, Santiago, or Porto Rico. The regiment was always expecting marching orders in the immediate future.

Almost every large congregation contains some men who need a free application of soap and water. In a camp where many men are herded together, the personal cleanliness of each soldier is a factor in the general health.

As soon as the pipe line was established, and water was abundant, orders were issued in regard to bathing, and were enforced by weekly inspections. The men were required to strip in quarters, and were examined by the surgeons. The first inspection disclosed an unfortunate who had secreted on his person, a liberal amount of Georgia real estate.

Eight husky sergeants, armed with fresh stable brooms and soap, were detailed to accompany the victim to the stand pipe. The detail, clad only in their birthday clothes, marched through the camp, conducting the victim in solemn procession, to the place of execution. The novel sight of the naked detail and prisoner attracted many spectators from the regiment, who observed the enforced bathing, and materially assisted by their advice and presence the cleansing operation. The man was washed as he had never been washed before.

The result of this public exhibition deterred others from disregarding bathing regulations. During the service of the regiment, no other man was ever reported as the result of these inspections, for personal uncleanliness.

At midnight on May 28th, the first death occurred in the regiment. Private Herbert O. Burnham, Company D, passed away at the Regimental Hospital. He contracted pneumonia at Framingham, was taken sick on the train, and gradually grew worse until the end came. The next night, a second member of the command obeyed the summons and was mustered out by death. Clarence L. Bartol of Company C, died at the Regimental Hospital of heart disease. The two deaths coming so close together, produced an effect upon the men, and caused them to realize more fully the duties of the service upon which they had entered.

The regiment early established a club for the enlisted men where they could loaf and make small purchases. These clubs were authorized by Army Regulations, and known as Post Exchanges or Canteens. They were managed by a council of officers. The profits on all sales went to the men. Regular dividends were declared and paid to company commanders, and were accounted for by them to the government, as a part of their company fund. Canteen dividends could be used only to improve the ration or condition of the men. The sale of beer and light wines was permitted.

The Eighth carried on its list of Canteen supplies, draught beer, which was furnished by a Chattanooga brewery, together with a supply of ice sufficient to keep the beer cool. This was the only supply of ice in camp, and the only place where a cool drink could be had.

In close proximity to the Canteen, was the Y. M. C. A. tent, which offered another home for the enlisted men where they could read, write letters, play games, and meet for social or religious purposes. The most excellent young gentlemen in charge, viewed with disapproval the sale of beer in the rival club. The beer was also condemned by the surgeons, on the ground that it was not up to standard in quality, and that the poor quality of the beer aggravated intestinal troubles.

One day at mess the Commanding Officer entered into an agreement with the Y. M. C. A. representative, that the sale of beer should be prohibited at the Canteen as long as the Y. M. C. A. furnished for the enlisted men a barrel of distilled ice water in front of their tent. The Regimental Quartermaster furnished daily transportation to Chattanooga where barrels of distilled water and ice were purchased from the brewery company, and duly installed by the Y. M. C. A. This supply was maintained during the time the regiment remained at Chickamauga. The water and ice cost as much as beer, but the expense was borne by contributions solicited by the Y. M. C. A. manager from the various friends of temperance in the north.

This substitution of water for beer gave the Colonel some notoriety as a temperance reformer, and caused him to receive much advice about running the regiment.

One lady who had devoted fifty years to the cause of temperance, wrote a poem which she sent to the Colonel and requested him to have the men learn it by heart and recite it in unison as part of the ceremony at evening parade.

Another friend of the cause sent a few thousand printed pledges, with the advice that the men be required to sign a few pledges each day and carry them in their various pockets. She thought every time anything was taken from a pocket, a pledge would come out, and stimulate by its sight, each man to renewed interest to the cause of temperance.

The old battleground offered opportunities to the souvenir hunters, and many bullets, pieces of shells and rifles were picked up and sent home. Another craze was collecting State buttons from the uniforms of volunteers from various states. These buttons treated to a gold wash and attached to a belt, were favorite souvenirs for sweethearts.

In addition to his duties as Battalion Commander, Major Edward H. Eldredge was detailed as Division Inspector of Rifle Practice. Under his supervision a rifle range was opened near the Alexander Bridge, and twenty-seven targets were installed. Three targets were assigned to each regiment of the Division for daily use. Lieutenant George W. Langdon of Company A, acted as Inspector, and supervised the regimental work at this range. Near the end of July, a division rifle match was shot, in which the following scores were made:—

The war strength of a company in the United States service was 106 enlisted men. Under the first call, Massachusetts was required to furnish three batteries of Heavy Artillery. Influence was at once brought to bear upon the authorities at Washington to accept the First Heavy Artillery as a Regiment of twelve batteries. To accomplish this and keep within the quota allowed Massachusetts, infantry companies were cut down to 74 men. To this extent the four infantry regiments which were raised for foreign service, were crippled to increase the strength of the coast guard.

Upon the second call for volunteers, it was decided to raise the infantry companies to full war strength of 106 men, and about the first of June the Eighth was ordered to send a recruiting detail of three officers and twelve men to Massachusetts for recruiting purposes. The officers in charge of this detail were Major William Stopford, Captain Herbert W. Whitten of Company M, and Lieutenant Henry W. French of Company K. The detail left Chattanooga on June 8th. The first batch of new recruits arrived at Chickamauga on June 25th, from which time until after the 4th of July, recruits arrived daily.

The average recruit who responds to the first call for volunteers, is usually an all around better man than the average recruit obtained upon subsequent calls. The interference with the original Government plan of raising four full regiments, not only weakened the regiment at first, but later lowered its morale by introducing a poorer class of men than could have been obtained if the companies had recruited to a full strength at their home stations under the first stimulus of war.

On June 12th the regiment had its first experience with a Southern rain storm. After a long dry spell, the heavens opened, and the floods descended. Innocent looking gullies became rushing brooks, which soon overflowed their banks and inundated many canvas homes. After the storm, a system of drainage was inaugurated, and the men were set to work on a main drain and connecting trenches, constructed on lines taught by experience.

In the wake of the storm, and as it were, a silver lining to the clouds, came Paymaster James C. Barr of the Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, M. V. M., with $17,500. from the State of Massachusetts in payment of the men for the time they had served at the Framingham camp. This was the first pay the regiment received, and the paymaster was welcomed like flowers in the spring. He was met at the railroad station by an armed party and escorted to camp, where his little fortune was safely guarded until distributed in payment to the men.

On June 22nd Captain Walter H. Nichols of Company H resigned, making the first break among the officers of the regiment.

On June 26th the camp was stirred to excitement by reason of an order transferring the regiment to the First Brigade, First Division, First Army Corps. The First Brigade was composed of the Eighth Massachusetts, Second Wisconsin, and Fifth Illinois Regiments, and was commanded by General Oswald Ernst. The division was commanded by General J. M. Wilson. The Brigade was expected to move in a few days to Newport News, where it was to take transports for Santiago. Camp took on new life and excitement. All superfluous baggage was packed for storage or home shipment. The excitement lasted a number of days, but the regiment was doomed to disappointment, as the order was countermanded and the regiment restored to its former place in the Third Division.

July 4th was observed as a holiday. Congressman William H. Moody of the Sixth Massachusetts District, who was spending a few days in camp, delivered a patriotic address. A program of sports had been arranged for the day, but the arrival of the U. S. Paymaster caused the games to be called off. About $45,000 was paid to the regiment, the men being paid from May 5th to June 30th. Many of the men took advantage of the arrival of the money for a trip to Chattanooga, where they passed the remainder of the day visiting the city or Lookout Mountain. In the evening there was a mammoth bonfire in camp, red fire was burned, and the drum corps gave a concert of patriotic airs, in celebration of the victory of Sampson over the fleet of Cevera off Santiago, the news of which was received that afternoon.

As the summer advanced, and the heat increased, reveille was sounded at 4.30 and drills were held at a correspondingly early hour, so that by the middle of the morning, all drills were over.

Soon after arriving in camp, the brigade was practiced in extended order and the use of cover. This drill was known to the men as "snake drill." Major Parker, of the Twelfth New York, a Regular Army officer, acted as instructor at first. Before many weeks the regiment became proficient in advancing on a position, and at the same time taking advantage of natural cover. On several occasions the regiment gave exhibitions for the benefit of officers of other organizations.

The evening parade was usually witnessed by many spectators. The field where it was held was near the camps of the Third Army Corps, and the men from this organization usually assembled to watch the ceremony. The drum corps had been increased to forty-seven pieces, and became celebrated for its military marches.

The men, early in the summer, discarded the blue uniform for brown canvas, and with the ponchos worn white side out in a yoke from the left shoulder, presented in ranks a natty and business-like appearance. Their drill and marching was excellent, and upon all ceremonies and reviews they created a most favorable impression.

On July 8th Captain Jacob C. R. Peabody arrived in camp and assumed command of Company H. On July 11th Assistant Surgeon Thomas L. Jenkins resigned.

Late on July 14th, news was received that Santiago had fallen. A celebration was promptly inaugurated. The three regiments in the brigade interchanged marching calls, headed by their band or field music. As the Eighth marched through the camp of the Twelfth New York singing patriotic songs, they were received with a novel illumination, a man stood at the entrance of each tent holding a lighted candle. In the camp of the Twenty-First Kansas, speeches were made by the Colonels of both regiments, after which the Eighth returned to its camp.

On July 21st the camp was again stirred by the report that the regiment had been selected for Porto Rico, and would embark in a few days. There was much activity in camp securing requisitions for the men. General Brooke, who commanded the First Corps, left for Porto Rico, and some of the regiments of the corps reached that Island before the order was countermanded.

The dull routine of camp life, repeated disappointments in orders to move, continued excessive heat, rain and mud, and the prevalence of camp diseases, were fast impairing the efficiency of the First Corps. General Breckenridge who succeeded General Wade in command, immediately planned to break the monotony by a practice march. The Third Division was ordered on a march into Tennessee, and a detail was sent in advance to secure camp sites.

Pending this general movement, the Eighth was granted permission to make a short march to Pea Vine Ridge. The start was made at daybreak on July 19th along the Ringgold Pike, which had been traveled by Sherman in his march to Atlanta. The morning was spent in advanced guard work. The farmers along the route cherished unpleasant memories of Northern troops, and spent their time guarding live stock while the regiment remained in the vicinity. Camp was made at noon near the Craven House, and the afternoon was devoted to play. Many of the men dammed a mountain brook and spent the afternoon splashing in its pools.

The Craven House was occupied by an old sailor from Newburyport, Massachusetts, who had ended his sea days many years before, and had settled with a Georgia wife in the Pea Vine Valley. The old gentleman was filled with enthusiasm to see the regiment, when he learned it was from Massachusetts, and had a company from old Newburyport. Unfortunately Company A had been left in Chickamauga as a camp guard. After the camp was established, the Colonel called to pay his respects. The excitement of the day had been too much for the old gentleman, and he was found stricken with apoplexy.

The neighbors were too busy watching their property to render assistance, and a detail from the regiment cared for the old gentleman until he died that night.

As the day wore on and no raids were made by the Northern troops upon barns or hen houses, the farmers allowed their curiosity to overcome their fears, and visited camp. They were soon selling peaches, butter milk and sweet potato pies to the troops. These pies were christened "rubbernecks" by the men, and were held in light esteem, although heavy as lead.

On July 23rd all the state knapsacks were condemned. They were little box affairs, covered with enamel leather, and had seen service at many a Framingham muster. They were piled at the head of each company street and burned. Blanket bags were later issued and were more acceptable. The tents brought from Massachusetts had been earlier condemned as unserviceable, and were replaced by a new issue.

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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.

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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.

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