Chapter VIII: Part 8

Fealey, Thomas H., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898;
discharged by order, December 22, 1898.

Freeborn, Frank O., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

Gallagher, William H., Somerville, enlisted June 21, 1898;
mustered out April 28, 1899.

Gilson, Claude U., Wellesley Hills, enlisted April 28, 1898;
mustered out April 28, 1899.

Givan, Charles F., Charlestown, enlisted June 20, 1898;
transferred to the band, March 20, 1899.

Goette, Albert H., Cambridgeport, enlisted June 29, 1898;
transferred to the band, March 20, 1899.

Goodrich, Clarence E., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898;
mustered out April 28, 1899.

Graves, Frank H., Somerville, enlisted June 23, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

Gray, Herman L., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

Greenwood, Edwin E., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898;
mustered out April 28, 1899.

Hardcastle, William J., Boston, enlisted June 23, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

Halloran, John J., Lowell, enlisted Company C, Sixth
Massachusetts Infantry, June 22, 1898; transferred to Company
M, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, January 9, 1899; mustered out
April 28, 1899.

Hill, Rupert G., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898; Wagoner,
May 26, 1898; transferred to Company G, Eighth Massachusetts
Infantry, September 11, 1898.

Holland, John P., Somerville, enlisted June 21, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

Howe, Frank G., Lowell, enlisted in Company G, Sixth
Massachusetts Infantry, June 22, 1898; transferred to Company
M, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, January 9, 1899; mustered out
April 28, 1899.

Hunt, Ernest W., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898; deserted,
July 6, 1898.

Hunter, Walter, Medford, enlisted June 22, 1898; mustered out
April 28, 1899.

James, Charles T., Allston, enlisted April 28, 1898; transferred
to the band, March 20, 1899.

Keville, William J., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898;
discharged by order, November 14, 1898.

Knox, Charles W., Somerville, enlisted June 21, 1898; discharged
for disability, January 5, 1899.

Leighton, Albro B., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

Marston, Benjamin F., Somerville, enlisted June 20, 1898;
mustered out April 28, 1899.

Maynard, Erville H., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898;
discharged by order, January 18, 1899.

McBarron, James H., Boston, enlisted May 5, 1898; transferred to
the band, March 20, 1899.

McCann, Eugene F., Lowell, enlisted Company G, Sixth
Massachusetts Infantry, June 24, 1898; transferred to Company
M, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, January 7, 1899; mustered out
April 28, 1899.

McDonald, Charles E., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898;
mustered out April 28, 1899.

McInnes, Daniel H., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898;
discharged for disability, March 21, 1899.

Miers, Walter B., Somerville, enlisted June 20, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

Monroe, Frank J., Lowell, enlisted Company G, Sixth Massachusetts
Infantry, May 6, 1898; transferred to Company M. Eighth
Massachusetts Infantry, January 7, 1899; mustered out April 28,
1899.

Morgan, Albion B., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

Moulton, Edmund A., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

Murry, John P., Allston, enlisted April 28, 1898; mustered out
April 28, 1899.

Nevins, Joseph H., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

Oliver, Arthur R., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898;
discharged for disability, January 5, 1899.

Odom, John S., Quincy, enlisted June 20, 1898; mustered out April
28, 1899.

Paine, Melvin P., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

Parkhurst, Charles W., Cambridge, enlisted June 21, 1898;
mustered out April 28, 1899.

Penney, George S., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

Plunkett, Richard A., Everett, enlisted April 28, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

Porter, Wilfred H., Americus, Georgia, enrolled in the band,
January 3, 1899; transferred to Company M, Eighth Massachusetts
Infantry, January 19, 1899; mustered out April 28, 1899. Previous
service: Enlisted as private in Battery L, First Massachusetts
Heavy Artillery, May 9, 1898; mustered out November 14, 1898.

Rebello, William P., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898;
mustered out April 28, 1899.

Rice, Harry E., Cambridge, enlisted April 28, 1898; discharged
for disability, October 14, 1898.

Richardson, William A., Cambridge, enlisted June 21, 1898;
mustered out April 28, 1899.

Riley, Charles A., Cambridge, enlisted June 20, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

Ring, Arthur W., Cambridge, enlisted June 29, 1898; mustered out
April 28, 1899.

Robertson, William J., South Boston, enlisted July 5, 1898;
discharged for disability, February 9, 1899.

Robinson, Clarence A., Boston, enlisted June 26, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

Sanborn, Lyman H., Somerville, enlisted June 21, 1898;
transferred to Division Hospital, August 9, 1898; discharged
January 7, 1899.

Sanson, Joseph, Lowell, enlisted Company G, Sixth Massachusetts
Infantry, May 6, 1898; transferred to Company M, Eighth
Massachusetts Infantry, January 7, 1899; mustered out April 28,
1899.

Scharpf, Leo, Cambridge, enlisted June 29, 1898; mustered out
April 28, 1899.

Simmons, John, Americus, Georgia, enlisted in the band, December
6, 1898 and transferred to Company M, Eighth Massachusetts
Infantry, same date; mustered out April 28, 1899. Previous
record; Enlisted as a private in Battery L, First Massachusetts
Heavy Artillery, May 9, 1898; mustered out November 14, 1898.

Snow, Walter R., Somerville, Artificer, enlisted April 28, 1898;
discharged by order, as private, February 28, 1899.

Stagg, John W., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898; mustered out
April 28, 1899.

Stewart, Clarence R., Somerville, Corporal, enlisted April 28,
1898; died at Regimental Hospital, Chickamauga Park, Georgia,
June 11, 1898.

Tabor, Charles S., Charlestown, enlisted April 28, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

Taylor, Albert C., Somerville, enlisted May 9, 1898; mustered out
April 28, 1899.

Taylor, Arthur F., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898; Wagoner,
August 6, 1898; mustered out as private, April 28, 1899.

Tesson, William A., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898;
discharged by order, February 23, 1899.

Walker, Henry E., Saugus, enlisted June 23, 1898; mustered out
April 28, 1899.

Wallace, Patrick H., Lowell, enlisted in Company G, Sixth
Massachusetts Infantry, May 6, 1898; transferred to Company M,
Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, January 9, 1899; mustered out
April 28, 1899.

Wallace, William B., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898;
discharged by reason of being a minor, July 18, 1898.

Webb, Richard I., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

Whitney, James E., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

Wiley, Richard S., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898; mustered
out April 28, 1899.

York, James W., Somerville, enlisted April 28, 1898; mustered out
April 28, 1899.

_Chronology_

FEBRUARY, 1898.

15. U. S. S. Maine destroyed in Havana harbor.

MARCH.

9. Congress appropriates $50,000,000 for national defence.

16. Meeting of the Eighth Regiment, M. V. M. officers at
headquarters in Salem to discuss matter of regiment volunteering
in case of war with Spain. Decision was to volunteer.

24. Spanish torpedo gunboat flotilla assembled at Cape Verde
Islands.

28. Congress received report of Naval Board of Inquiry declaring
that U. S. S. Maine was destroyed by an exterior explosion.

APRIL.

9. General Fitz Hugh Lee, consul-general, left Havana.

15. Legislature of Massachusetts appropriated $500,000 for local
defence and equipment of troops.

21. Spanish government sent passports to U. S. Minister Woodford.

22. Colonel William A. Pew, Jr., commanding Eighth Regiment, M.
V. M., tenders services of regiment to Governor Wolcott.

23. President William McKinley calls for 125,000 troops.

25. Congress declares war to have existed with Spain since April
21.

Admiral Dewey and fleet sailed from Hong Kong for Manila.

Governor Wolcott received notification from Secretary of War
regarding quota to be furnished by Massachusetts.

27. Governor Wolcott received letter from Secretary of War
requesting four Infantry regiments, and one of heavy artillery.

28. Colonel Pew and commanders of Second, Sixth and Ninth
Regiments ordered to Boston to hold conference with Governor
Wolcott.

Officers of Eighth Regiment met Colonel Pew at State House and
arrangements made for recruiting a regiment of volunteers.

Recruiting opened in cities and towns represented by companies in
Eighth Regiment.

29. Eighth Regiment ordered to report at State Camp Grounds,
South Framingham, May 5, at 11 A. M.

MAY.

1. Admiral Montojo's Spanish fleet destroyed in Manila Bay by
fleet under command of Admiral Dewey. News received several days
later.

5. Companies of Eighth Regiment left home stations amid ovations.
Reviewed at State House by Governor Wolcott. Went into camp at
South Framingham.

6. Examination of commissioned officers.

7. Examinations of enlisted men commenced. Many rejected and sent
home.

10. Companies B, F, E, G, L and M, sworn into the United States
service. Governor Wolcott witnessed swearing in of Company L.

11. Companies A, C, D, H, I and K, sworn into the United States
service, completing the regiment. Second Massachusetts Infantry
left camp for Tampa, Florida.

14. Governor Wolcott and staff visited camp. Governor presented
commissions to officers of Eighth Regiment.

Regiment received orders to move to Chickamauga Park, Georgia.

16. Regiment left camp for Chickamauga Park, Georgia, after being
reviewed by Governor Wolcott.

19. Regiment arrived at Citico freight yard, outside Chattanooga,
Tennessee. Arrived at Chickamauga Park, Georgia, early in evening
and went into bivouac for night.

20. Marched to camp site on Alexander road and went into camp.
Assigned to Second Brigade, Third Division, First Army Corps,
with Twelfth New York and Twenty-First Kansas Regiments. Colonel
Pew, senior commander, placed in command of brigade.

28. First death in regiment. Private Herbert O. Burnham of
Company D, of Lynn.

JUNE.

3. U. S. S. Merrimac sunk in entrance to Santiago harbor by
Hobson and others.

13. Paymaster Barr, Eighth Regiment, M. V. M., arrived in camp
with state pay.

17. Bunker Hill day observed with bon-fire, and concert by Drum
Corps.

20. Expedition under command of General Shafter landed at
Baiquiri.

24. Action with the Spaniards at La Guasimas.

29. Colonel Pew relieved and brigade placed under command of
General Waites of Texas.

JULY.

1-2. Actions with Spaniards at El Caney and San Juan hill.

Members of regiment transferred to United States Hospital Corps
about this time.

3. Congressman William H. Moody of Massachusetts, arrived in camp.

Admiral Cevera's Spanish fleet annihilated off Santiago.

4. National holiday duly celebrated. Congressman Moody delivered
patriotic address. Programme of sports interferred with by
arrival of United States Paymaster.

13. First case of typhoid made its appearance in the regiment.

17. Regiment celebrated the fall of Santiago, assisted by Twelfth
New York and Twenty-First Kansas Regiments.

19. Regiment, with exception of Company A of Newburyport, went on
hike to Pea Vine valley, pitched camp and returned following day.

23. Old knapsacks, issued by state, condemned and burned. Blanket
bags issued in their places.

26. Spain asks terms of peace.

29. Eighth Regiment won division rifle match with score of 481.

30. First division sham fight took place.

AUGUST.

9. New stand of colors received by regiment.

Colonel Pew addressed men concerning typhoid fever.

12. Peace protocol signed and hostilities suspended.

16. First furloughs granted to men broken down in health.

Eighth Regiment participated in big review at Snodgrass Hill.

22. Bon-fire and celebration in honor of receipt of orders to
break camp.

23. Regiment marched over road to Rossville, Georgia. Embarked
for Lexington, Kentucky.

24. Arrived and went into camp on Clark farm at Montrose, a few
miles outside of Lexington, Kentucky.

SEPTEMBER.

15. Twenty-First Kansas volunteers of the brigade received orders
to prepare for home and muster out.

20. Secretary of War, General Russell A. Alger of Michigan,
visited camp and reviewed the troops.

23. Governor Bradley of Kentucky and staff reviewed the troops.

24. Regiment visited Louden Park race track, Lexington, and gave
exhibition drill.

26. Twenty-First Kansas regiment departed for muster out at Fort
Leavenworth, Kansas.

27. First Territorial regiment arrived in camp from west.

OCTOBER.

10. First battalion of regiment sent out on Bryan Pike on account
of trouble at Lexington.

11. Men of regiment visited Forepaugh & Sells Brothers circus at
Lexington.

20. General Breckinridge turned command over to General Wilson.

NOVEMBER.

10. Regiment transferred to Second Brigade, Second Division,
First Army Corps.

Evacuation of Lexington.

12. Regiment arrived at Americus, Georgia, and went into camp.

Krag-Jorgensen rifles arrived.

Thanksgiving day. Men enjoyed dinner provided by Captain Augustus
P. Gardner of Hamilton, Massachusetts.

DECEMBER.

10. Commissioners at Paris signed treaty of peace.

25. Christmas day. Camp decorated. Men provided with dinner by
Hon. George von L. Meyer of Hamilton, Massachusetts.

26. Twelfth New York regiment left camp enroute for Cuba.

31. Orders received for regiment to prepare to move to Cuba.

JANUARY.

6. First Battalion broke camp and left for Cuba, via Savannah,
Georgia.

8. First Battalion embarked on Transport Obdam from Savannah for
Cuba.

Second and Third Battalions left Americus, Georgia, for Cuba, via
Savannah.

9. Arrived at Savannah. Fire in freight yard.

10. Second and Third Battalions embarked on Transport Michigan
for Cuba.

First Battalion arrived and landed at Matanzas, Cuba.

13. Second and Third Battalions arrived and landed at Matanzas,
Cuba.

20. Cuban insurgents laid down their arms. Celebration in honor
of event.

FEBRUARY.

20. Regiment participated in parade and reception to General
Gomez, Cuban General.

25. Twelfth New York regiment of brigade got orders to prepare
for home and muster out.

MARCH.

18. Regiment received orders to prepare for home and muster out.

24. Regiment escorted the Twelfth New York to Transport Meade and
watched it embark for home.

APRIL.

3. Regiment embarked on Transport Meade for home.

4. Transport sailed for Boston at 6.30 A. M.

9. Transport arrived at Boston. Regiment disembarked at New
England dock and marched to South Armory, being reviewed at State
House by Governor Wolcott and staff. Regiment furloughed and
companies returned to home stations. Receptions given returning
commands.

11. President William McKinley officially proclaimed the war to
have terminated.

12. Men of regiment reported for duty from furlough.

19. Regiment furloughed until April 28.

28. Regiment reported for duty at 8.30 A. M. and companies were
mustered out in the following order: Companies E, D, G, M, L, K,
B, C, F, I, H, and A, Band, field and staff, Colonel Pew.

_Appendix_

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

Headquarters, Department of Matanzas,
MATANZAS, CUBA, March 10, 1899.

TO THE PRESIDENT,
Executive Mansion, Washington.

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

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

Very respectfully,
(Signed) JAMES H. WILSON,
_Major General of Volunteers_.

* * * * *

Headquarters, District of Matanzas,
MATANZAS, CUBA, March 13, 1899.

TO THE ADJUTANT GENERAL, U. S. ARMY,
Washington, D. C.

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

Very respectfully,
(Signed) J. P. SANGER,
_Brigadier General, U. S. V._

* * * * *

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE,
October 22, 1907.

H. E. WEBBER, ESQ.,
Salem Post Office, Salem, Mass.

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

Yours very truly,
(Signed) JAMES H. WILSON.

* * * * *

NEW YORK, October 25, 1907.

MR. H. E. WEBBER, Salem, Mass.

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

I am, Sir,
Very truly yours,
(Signed) JOHN R. BROOKE.

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE

Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.

Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been
corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within
the text and consultation of external sources.

Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text,
and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained. For example,
bon-fire, bonfire; vender, vendor; pedler, pedlar, peddler;
banquetted; rendezvouing.

Pg 16, 'in kahki' replaced by 'in khaki'.
Pg 28, 'wild with excitment' replaced by 'wild with excitement'.
Pg 31, 'union delagates' replaced by 'union delegates'.
Pg 33, 'esprit du corps' replaced by 'esprit de corps'.
Pg 34, 'lies unequivocably' replaced by 'lies unequivocally'.
Pg 51, 'faith and allegience' replaced by 'faith and allegiance'.
Pg 74, 'was no sepage' replaced by 'was no seepage'.
Pg 99, 'an egg nogg' replaced by 'an egg nog'.
Pg 100, 'Massachuchusetts Volunteer' replaced by 'Massachusetts
Volunteer'.
Pg 103, 'regiimental parade' replaced by 'regimental parade'.
Pg 106, 'hygenic measures' replaced by 'hygienic measures'.
Pg 115, 'Massachusettts and the Twelfth' replaced by 'Massachusetts
and the Twelfth'.
Pg 117, 'trial for absense' replaced by 'trial for absence'.
Pg 135, 'assigend quarters' replaced by 'assigned quarters'.
Pg 138, 'floatsam taking' replaced by 'flotsam taking'.
Pg 142, 'mannor of life' replaced by 'manner of life'.
Pg 153, 'rythmic swing' replaced by 'rhythmic swing'.
Pg 184, 'After consulation' replaced by 'After consultation'.
Pg 219 et al, 'Aid-de-camp' replaced by 'Aide-de-camp' (5 occurrences).
Pg 221, 'April 28, 28, 1899' replaced by 'April 28, 1899'.
Pg 278, 'Woods, Fred C.,' entry has a line missing in the original
text.
Pg 312, 'Infanty, May 6' replaced by 'Infantry, May 6'.
Pg 344, 'Massachuestts Infantry, May 6' replaced by 'Massachusetts
Infantry, May 6'.
Pg 371, 'Massachusettts Infantry, May 6' replaced by 'Massachusetts
Infantry, May 6'.
Pg 380, 'Hong Kong for Manilla' replaced by 'Hong Kong for Manila'.
Pg 380, 'to be funnished' replaced by 'to be furnished'.