The Old First Massachusetts Coast Artillery in War and Peace

Transcriber’s Notes:
Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible.

Our First State Camp, Neponset, 1849
THE OLD FIRST Massachusetts Coast Artillery IN War and Peace By FREDERICK MORSE CUTLER, B.D. First Lieutenant, Chaplain
THE PILGRIM PRESS BOSTON CHICAGO Copyright 1917 By FREDERICK MORSE CUTLER First Edition, March 21, 1917 Second Edition, April 30, 1917 THE PILGRIM PRESS BOSTON



When Chaplain Minot J. Savage first listened to the “March of the First,” inspiration fired his soul; the music was repeating a message to him. Was there something in the brazen voice of the horns, a magical harmony of sound with sense; or was it merely the loyal Chaplain’s imagination? At any rate this is what he heard:
“We’re brothers of all noble men, Who wear our country’s blue, We brothers find in any race, Where men are brave and true. But we’ve a pride in our own band, And we are all agreed, Whatever grand deeds others do, The ‘Old First’ still shall lead. So while our feet keep music time, Our hearts are proudly beating An echo to Man’s forward hope That never knows retreating.”
And now, whenever “Adjutant’s call” sounds and the companies move into line with the precision and rhythmic swing characteristic of well-trained troops, they also hear the message which was written down for them by the Chaplain many years ago, “The Old First still shall lead.” They hear and believe.