On March 27th, orders were issued for the Eighth to be mustered out in Boston. On April 2nd, the transport "Meade" returned from New York, and the Eighth was ordered to embark the following day. In the evening the officers, with the band, called upon General Sanger to pay respects for the last time to their chief. During most of their service, they had served in his command. They appreciated the efforts he had made to maintain their health, and held in high esteem his qualities as an officer and soldier.
On the afternoon of April 3rd the post flag was lowered in the camp of the Eighth, and the regiment, numbering 46 officers and 1177 men, embarked. Early the next morning the transport steamed out of Matanzas Bay, and the foreign service of the regiment was ended.
Just before sailing, a messenger from the Municipal Government of Matanzas presented the Colonel with an official copy of a proclamation, which had been adopted and issued by the city the preceding day.
"TO THE EIGHTH REGIMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS.
The brief period which you have spent among us has been sufficient to enable us to appreciate your patriotism, your great virtues, and your self-sacrifice and generosity. An indelible token of eternal gratitude and admiration you leave stamped upon our hearts. You are worthy sons of George Washington.
You are returning to your beloved homes. Return then; There, love, friendship and hope await you. Speed you, and be you happy there, you who have accomplished in Cuba the greatest moral and material undertaking of the 19th century. There you will be able to hold up your heads among the great and the good; for great and noble also are those who there have contributed to the glory of the homeland. Believe therefore, and be assured that you leave friends here, brethren whose gratitude will ever cause them to love and bless you. Farewell!
Matanzas, April 3, 1899:
Alfred O. Carnot,
Mayor of the City.
By order of the Council:
Municipal Residence."