[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.