Читать книгу Twelve Months with the Eighth Massachusetts Infantry in the Service of the United States - Harry Endicott Webber - Страница 6

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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.'"