Part 10

On April 13th, however, Lynn people officially received the companies in a manner which will not soon be forgotten. The city was bedecked with bunting, and thousands crowded the streets through which the parade passed, and cheered to the echo the returned war veterans. The parade was formed in the following order: General Charles C. Frye, chief marshal, and staff; Lynn Brass Band; General Lander Post, No. 5, G. A. R.; Lieutenant-Colonel Mudge Camp, Sons of Veterans; Lynn Light Infantry Veteran Association; Wooldredge Cadet Veterans; Lynn Cadet Band; English High School Battalion; Classical High School Battalion; carriages containing Mayor Shepard, and members of the city government; Eighth Massachusetts Infantry; U. S. V. Band; Company I, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.; Company D, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.; Veterans of Company E, Massachusetts Naval Brigade; Veterans of the Spanish War. A banquet at the State Armory followed, at which time 800 plates were laid and Mayor Shepard acted as toastmaster, and speeches were made by many prominent people, both in military and civil life.

Mayor Benjamin D. Webber, of Beverly, went to Boston as soon as he heard that the Transport Meade was in, and together with other prominent citizens went down the harbor to welcome the members of Company E. A specially chartered tug was used. Learning that the company was to come home that night, he telephoned to Beverly the fact, and upon the arrival of Company E at the station, a large gathering of people was on hand and welcomed the command with three rousing cheers. A parade was formed, consisting of a Drum Corps, Post 89, G. A. R., and John Low Camp, Sons of Veterans, and the line of march taken up for the armory, where there were short speeches, followed by a collation.

The official celebration in honor of the return of the volunteers took place on April 11th, when a parade was formed in the following order: Captain W. E. Perry, chief marshal, and staff; Beverly Cadet Band; John H. Chipman Post, 89, G. A. R.; John Low Camp, Sons of Veterans; Preston Post, 188, G. A. R; Charles Haddock Camp, Sons of Veterans; barouches containing disabled Civil War veterans and Mayor Webber and members of the city government; Lynn Brass Band; Company E, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.; Beverly fire department, apparatus and men; Bass River Lodge, I. O. O. F.; letter carriers; Excelsior Drum Corps; Golden Star Council, O. U. A. M.; Young Men's Catholic Temperance Society; Ancient Order of Hibernians; Bass River Court of Forresters; carriages containing members of Roger Conant Council, Royal Arcanum, and Beverly Lodge, Knights of Pythias; four-horse drag with members of Jubilee Yacht Club; carriages containing citizens.

After the parade, the members of the company enjoyed a New England boiled dinner at the armory, and in the evening attended exercises at the City Hall. Mayor Webber presided, speeches were made by representative citizens, and the school children sang patriotic songs.

On the evening of April 28th, the members of the company were tendered a banquet at City Hall, Mayor Webber making a speech of welcome and presiding the remainder of the evening, during which various prominent citizens responded to toasts. The galleries were filled with people, they having been thrown open to the public.

Company F, of Haverhill, arrived home rather unexpectedly at 8.15 P. M., but Mayor Chase was awake and the city was not caught napping. There was a good-sized crowd present at the depot, and it enlarged every minute, so that by the time the parade moved, the streets were filled with a shouting, cheering people. The parade formed as follows: Haverhill City Band; Major How Post, 47, G. A. R.; General Burnside Command, Veterans' Union; Provisional Company, State Militia; Eighth Regiment Drum Corps; Company F, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.; carriages containing Mayor Chase and members of the city government.

It was 11.15 P. M. before the members of Company G returned once more to Gloucester. For several hours a crowd had awaited their coming at the depot, the military call on the fire alarm having notified the citizens that the company was on its way home. Although the hour was late, there was plenty of enthusiasm, and salutes were fired and red fire burned. A parade was formed, made up in the following order: Gloucester Band; Massachusetts Naval Brigade, mounted detachment of citizens; Colonel Allen Post 45, G. A. R.; Company G, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.; delegations from the various fire companies; Wingaersheek Band; Wingaersheek Tribe of Red Men; Gloucester Council Knights of Columbus; Portuguese Acoriana Society; carriages containing prominent citizens.

On April 14th, the official celebration took place, when a big parade passed through the principal streets of the city, in the following order: Fitz E. Oaks, chief marshal, and staff; Gloucester Band; Company M, Massachusetts Naval Brigade; High School Cadet Battalion; Colonel Allen Post 45, G. A. R.; Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V. Band; Company G, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.; members of the fire department; J. Franklin Dyer Camp, Sons of Veterans; Hutchinson's Military Band; Ocean Lodge, I. O. O. F.; Wingaersheek Tribe, Red Men; Fernwood Lodge, A. O. U. W.; Gloucester Council, Knights of Columbus; St. Angelo Council, Knights of Malta; Acoriana Beneficiary Society; carriages containing distinguished citizens; mounted men.

In the evening there was a big banquet, at which time Judge Taft presided and there were speeches by men in the public life of Gloucester, and men in military circles.

When Company H, of Salem, reached home, it found thousands of people awaiting its return. The churches had dismissed their congregations that the members might unite with the other citizens in a royal welcoming of the soldier boys. Red fire was burned freely and there were salutes. At the station, a big parade awaited the volunteers, and taking the company under escort, marched to the Armory, where the men were dismissed. The parade was as follows: Salem Cadet Band; Second Corps Cadets, M. V. M.; Phil H. Sheridan Post 34, G. A. R.; postal clerks and carriers; Salem Light Infantry Veteran Association; Mayor James H. Turner and members of the city government; Army and Navy League; Company H, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V. The fire alarm had sounded an agreed upon signal, which gave those intending to parade time enough to gather at the various headquarters. Mayor Turner had met the company in Boston and made the arrangements for the affair.

Tuesday, April 11th, was the day set aside for the official celebration, and the streets were lined with thousands, who cheered and shouted, but it was not the spontaneous outburst that had been given the company when it first arrived home.

The parade passed through the principal streets of the city, and was made up as follows: Colonel Samuel A. Johnson, chief marshal, and staff; Salem Cadet Band; Second Corps Cadets, M. V. M.; Phil H. Sheridan Post 34, G. A. R.; Army and Navy League; Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Merritt Camp, Sons of Veterans; carriages containing disabled members of the G. A. R., and Mayor Turner and members of the city government; National Guards Band; Salem Light Infantry Veteran Association; Company H, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.; Salem Brass Band; Salem Letter Carriers and Postal clerks; Salem Fire Department; Salem Veteran Firemen's Association; Salem Drum Corps; Father Mathews Total Abstinence Society; St. Joseph's Benefit Society; street department drivers, mounted.

In the evening the Salem Light Infantry Veteran Association tendered a banquet to the volunteers in the armory at the Franklin building. Captain John P. Reynolds acted as toastmaster, and a number of distinguished citizens and military guests responded to the toasts.

The West Peabody Brass Band, Ward Post 90, G. A. R. and ex-members of Company K, were found waiting at the depot by the members of Company K of Danvers, when they stepped from the train. Line was immediately formed and through a lane of red fire and cheering citizens, the company marched to the armory, partook of a lunch and then separated for their homes.

On April 11 the town officially received her sons back from the Spanish war with a parade, reception and banquet. The parade formed in the following order: Chief Marshal F. U. French and staff; cavalcade of citizens; West Peabody Brass Band; Ward Post 90, G. A. R.; carriages containing the selectmen and guests; Company K, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.; ex-members of Company K and citizens; school children.

After the parade a reception was in progress at the Town Hall for two hours, after which the line was re-formed and the party proceeded to the armory, where a fine banquet was served, followed by speeches from prominent townspeople and guests, M. C. Pettengill acting as presiding officer.

Mayor Eaton went to Boston, met the members of Company L, and telephoned word back to Lawrence that the company was coming home. The fire alarm was immediately blown and as at the other places, the company was met by a big crowd at the depot, and a procession to escort it to its armory. Battery C, M. V. M. fired a salute as the train rolled into the station. The parade formed in the following order: Colonel Donovan, chief marshal; band; Battery C, M. V. M.; Company F, Ninth Infantry, M. V. M.; Colonel Sargeant camp, Sons of Veterans; band; Needham Post 39, G. A. R.; drum corps; seven fire companies; Gratton Guards; citizens committee; Company L, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.; city government and citizens in carriages. The parade marched directly to the armory, where the volunteers were dismissed.

Through a misunderstanding on the part of somebody, there was no one to welcome home the members of Company M, at Somerville, and when they arrived at the armory they found the place locked and deserted. Finally the police were secured and the doors forced open and the command marched inside. After giving three cheers for the city and the company, the men were dismissed.

Somerville citizens more than made up for the lack of cordiality on the night of the return home, by the enthusiastic reception they gave the company and other Somerville volunteers at the official welcome home which took place on April 19. The principal part of the day's programme was a big parade, which moved through the principal streets, packed with cheering people, in the following order: Chief Marshal, F. DeWitt Lapham and staff; platoon of 20 members of the National Lancers, M. V. M.; First Regiment Band; company of letter carriers; Bunker Hill Cadet Band; Bunker Hill Guards, Division 37, A. O. H.; Davitt Guards, Division 40, A. O. H.; Knights of Sacred Heart Drum Corps; Knights of Sacred Heart; Somerville Veteran Firemen's Association; T. F. Meagher Drum Corps; W. C. Kingsley Post 139, G. A. R.; Company M, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.; unattached soldiers and sailors; carriages containing city officials and guests.

Following the parade, the company and invited guests were given light refreshments at Bow Street hall, after which many speeches were made, Alderman Wilson acting as presiding officer.

In the evening, at 6 o'clock, the company was banquetted in Beacon hall, where plates were spread for a large gathering. After the banquet had been enjoyed, Alderman Wilson, who again acted as chairman, rapped for order and speeches followed by prominent city officials and guests.

_The Roll of Honor_

In every war the percentage of deaths from disease is greater than of deaths on the battlefield, and the Spanish war was no exception. Of the hundreds of Massachusetts young men who volunteered and answered the call of President McKinley for troops, 292 were called upon to sacrifice their lives for their country.

Of this number, but nine were killed or died of wounds on the battlefield, the remaining 283 dying of disease or meeting death in an accidental manner.

The First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery lost one man during its term of service; the Second Massachusetts Infantry had nine killed or died of wounds received in battle and 89 died of disease; the Fifth Massachusetts Infantry lost nine men during its term of service; the Sixth Massachusetts Infantry lost 26 men during its term of service; the Eighth Massachusetts Infantry lost 31 men, and the Ninth Massachusetts Infantry 125 men. The Naval Brigade, during its term of service, lost two men, making the total number of men who were killed, died of wounds or disease, 292.

Of this number, as the foregoing list will show, the Eighth Massachusetts Infantry contributed the lives of one officer and 30 enlisted men, to which might be added the name of Private Charles A. Currier of Company B, who died soon after being transferred to the Hospital Corps, U. S. A.

The great majority of these men died in the hospitals in the south, far from home and friends. They gave up their lives willingly to their country's cause, and who is there to say that theirs was not as much a hero's death as that of the men who fell while bravely charging through the Cuban jungles or up the steep slope of San Juan Hill.

The roll of honor of the Eighth is as follows:

May 28, 1898.--Private Herbert O. Burnham of Company D of Lynn, of pneumonia, at regimental hospital, Chickamauga Park, Georgia.

May 29--Private Clarence L. Bartol of Company C of Marblehead, of heart disease, at regimental hospital, Chickamauga Park, Georgia.

June 11--Corporal Clarence R. Stewart of Company M of Somerville, of pneumonia, at regimental hospital, Chickamauga Park, Georgia.

June 13--Private Timothy O. Lamprey of Company B of Amesbury, of appendicitis, at Third Division Hospital, Chickamauga Park, Georgia.

July 18--Private Harvey Dunn of Company L of Lawrence, of typhoid fever, at Third Division Hospital, Chickamauga Park, Georgia.

August 2--Private Frank A. Hinckley of Company I of Lynn, of typhoid fever, at Third Division Hospital, Chickamauga Park, Georgia.

August 4--Corporal John M. Doran of Company G of Gloucester, of typhoid fever, at Third Division Hospital, Chickamauga Park, Georgia.

August 7--Private Walter D. Thompson of Company I of Lynn, of malarial fever, at Third Division Hospital, Chickamauga Park, Georgia.

August 19--Musician Spencer S. Hobbs of Company K of Danvers, of typhoid fever, at Third Division Hospital, Chickamauga Park, Georgia.

August 26--Private Joseph Pocket of Company I of Lynn, of typhoid fever, at Third Division Hospital, Chickamauga Park, Georgia.

September 2--Sergeant Frank E. Draper of Company M of Somerville, of typhoid fever, at Third Division Hospital, Chickamauga Park, Georgia.

September 3--Private Kenneth G. Constine of Company B of Amesbury, of typhoid fever, at Third Division Hospital, Chickamauga Park, Georgia.

September 6--Private John F. Dottridge of Company D of Lynn, of typhoid fever, at John Blair Gibbs General Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky.

September 6--Sergeant Fred Thomas of Company F of Haverhill, of typhoid fever, at Sternberg General Hospital, Chickamauga Park, Georgia.

September 6--Corporal George Patten of Company B of Amesbury, of typhoid fever, while on furlough at Amesbury, Massachusetts.

September 7--Sergeant John F. Balch of Company A of Newburyport, of typhoid fever, at Third Division Hospital, Chickamauga Park, Georgia.

September 13--Private Henry A. Deasy of Company H of Salem, of typhoid fever, while on furlough at Kingston, New Hampshire.

September 15--Private Michael J. Hayes of Company I of Lynn, of dysentery, at Third Division Hospital, Chickamauga Park, Georgia.

September 17--Corporal John H. Nichols of Company H of Salem, of typhoid fever, at John Blair Gibbs General Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky.

September 18--Private Rolvin G. Coombs of Company B of Amesbury, of typhoid fever, at John Blair Gibbs General Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky.

September 19--Private George F. Walen of Company G of Gloucester, of typhoid fever, at John Blair Gibbs General Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky.

September 22--Private John F. Hanson of Company L of Lawrence, of typhoid fever, at John Blair Gibbs General Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky.

September 22--Private George O. Cook of Company D of Lynn, while on furlough at Dorchester, Massachusetts.

September 24--Corporal Henry Higgins of Company B of Amesbury, of typhoid fever, at John Blair Gibbs General Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky.

September 30--Private William B. Cahoon of Company G of Gloucester, of peritonitis, at John Blair Gibbs General Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky.

October 8--Private William H. Florence of Company C of Marblehead, of bright's disease, at John Blair Gibbs General Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky.

October 10--Private William D. Curley of Company G of Gloucester, of typhoid fever, at John Blair Gibbs General Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky.

October 20--Private Thomas Sweeney of Company B of Amesbury, of malarial fever, at John Blair Gibbs General Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky.

October 24--First Lieutenant Francis H. Downey of Company I of Lynn, of pneumonia and fever, at St. Joseph's Hospital, Lexington, Kentucky.

March 3, 1899.--Private Lewis F. Channell of Company F of Haverhill, of typhoid fever, on board the U. S. Hospital Ship "Missouri," off Cuba.

March 15--Private Charles W. Benson of Company C of Marblehead, of malarial fever, on board U. S. Hospital Ship "Missouri," off Cuba.

August 9--Private Charles A. Currier, U. S. Hospital Corps, formerly member of Company B of Amesbury, of exhaustion following typhoid fever, on board U. S. Hospital Ship "Relief" off Ponce, Porto Rico.

_Some Statistics_

During the year of service in the volunteers 1465 names were borne upon the rolls of the Eighth Massachusetts Regiment. This does not necessarily mean that 1465 different men were connected with the regiment, for that was not so, for some of the men's names appear upon the rolls twice, such as when an enlisted man was promoted to be an officer, or when an officer was transferred from one company to another, or an enlisted man transferred from a company to the regimental band.

The following figures will no doubt be of interest to the men who served in the regiment.

Of the officers of the regiment 46 were mustered out with the regiment, 12 resigned and were discharged, one died, one was discharged by reason of promotion outside the regiment, and four were discharged for promotion in the regiment.

Of the enlisted men, 1161 were mustered out, 53 were discharged for disability, 5 were discharged because they were minors, 2 were discharged (no reason given), 51 were discharged by order, (the majority for physical unfitness), 11 were discharged for promotion; 6 were dishonorably discharged; 71 were discharged by reason of transfer, 30 died, and 11 deserted.

* * * * *

The record by companies is as follows:

Field and staff--Ten mustered out and three resigned. Total 13.

Non-Commissioned staff--Nine mustered out with the regiment and three were discharged by order. Total 12.

Band--Twenty were mustered out with the regiment. Total 20.

Company A, Newburyport--Three officers and 96 men were mustered out with the regiment, one man was discharged for disability; one man was discharged by reason of being a minor; two men were discharged by order; one man was dishonorably discharged; five men were transferred; one man died and two men deserted. Total 112.

Company B, Amesbury--Three officers and 96 men were mustered out with the regiment; one officer was discharged for promotion; ten men were discharged for disability; three men were discharged by order; eight men were transferred and six men died. Total 127.

Company C, Marblehead--Three officers and 97 men were mustered out with the regiment; two officers resigned; seven men were discharged for disability; one man was discharged by order; two men were transferred; three men died and two men deserted. Total 117.

Company D, Lynn--Three officers and 94 men were mustered out with the regiment; one officer was discharged for promotion; three men were discharged for disability; three men were discharged by order; two men were dishonorably discharged; ten men were transferred; three died and two deserted. Total 121.

Company E, Beverly--Three officers and 96 men were mustered out with the regiment; one officer and one enlisted man were discharged for promotion; one man was discharged; two men were discharged for disability; two men were discharged by order; one man was dishonorably discharged and eight men were transferred. Total 115.

Company F, Haverhill--Three officers and 96 men were mustered out with the regiment; one officer and two enlisted men were discharged for promotion; four men were discharged for disability; five men were transferred and two died. Total 113.

Company G, Gloucester--Three officers and 92 men were mustered out with the regiment; one officer resigned; four men were discharged for disability; one was discharged by reason of being a minor; ten men were discharged by order; one man was discharged for promotion; one man was dishonorably discharged; four men were transferred and four died. Total 121.

Company H, Salem--Three officers and 91 men were mustered out with the regiment; two officers resigned; one officer was discharged for promotion outside the regiment; six men were discharged for disability; ten men were discharged by order; two men were discharged for promotion; six men were transferred and two died. Total 123.

Company I, Lynn--Three officers and 94 men were mustered out with the regiment; one officer died; one man was discharged for disability; one man was discharged; five men were discharged by order; two men were discharged for promotion; four men were transferred; four died and two deserted. Total 117.

Company K, Danvers--Three officers and 93 men were mustered out with the regiment; two officers resigned; five men were discharged for disability; six men were discharged by order; one man was discharged for promotion; one man was dishonorably discharged; four men were transferred, one died and one deserted. Total 117.

Company L, Lawrence--Three officers and 98 men were mustered out with the regiment; two officers resigned; two men were discharged for disability; two men were discharged by reason of being minors; one man was discharged by order; one man was discharged for promotion; five men were transferred, two died and one deserted. Total 117.

Company M, Somerville--Three officers and 89 men were mustered out with the regiment; eight men were discharged for disability; one man was discharged by reason of being a minor; five men were discharged by order; one man was discharged by promotion; ten men were transferred; two died and one deserted. Total 120.

* * * * *

By the foregoing it will be seen that Company B of Amesbury had the largest number of entries upon its rolls during the year, 127, while Company F of Haverhill had the smallest, 113. Company E of Beverly was the only company which did not have a death among its members during the term of service.

There were ten states and eighty-nine cities and towns represented in the regiment, according to the residences as given upon the muster out roll on file at the Adjutant-General's office, at the State House.

The ten states were Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, New York, Ohio, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Georgia.

* * * * *

The cities and towns represented, and the number of men furnished the regiment by each, are as follows: