The First regiment Massachusetts heavy artillery, United States volunteers, in the Spanish-American war of 1898

by James A. Frye

Copyrighted photograph by T. E. Marr, Boston.
RESPONDING TO THE CALL.
Governor Wolcott reviewing the Regiment, 26th April, 1898.

On School Street, and again on State Street, the regiment was loyally welcomed. In spite of slippery and treacherous pavements, alignments and distances were well maintained, and the batteries marched with the long, swinging step for which the command always has been noted, though the unequal platoonfronts due to the detachment formation of foot artillery gave an odd effect to the column. All through the business district the applause and cheering were continuous, and it was almost with a sense of relief that the regiment finally boarded its transport, the steamer General Lincoln, and escaped from the patriotic uproar. But even here a parting cheer was heard, for the men of the Naval Brigade, on board the Minnesota, came swarming from below in their white uniforms, and strained their throats in fraternal desire to start the regiment fittingly on its way to the outer harbor-works.

With the regimental staff paraded Colonel Richard H. Morgan, A.I.G. (formerly major commanding the Third Battalion), who had been detailed to accompany the command as inspecting officer, and Lieutenant Erasmus M. Weaver, Second United States Artillery (later lieutenant-colonel, Fifth Massachusetts Infantry, U.S.V., and now captain in the regular artillery), who for the year previous had been attached to the regiment as instructor in coast artillery work, and to whose untiring efforts the regiment owed much for its efficiency. The field, staff, and line officers of the command on this date were as noted in the following roster—the sequence of battalions and batteries being that in which column was formed for parade:

Colonel Charles Pfaff.

Lieutenant-Colonel Charles B. Woodman.

Staff.

1st Lieut. Charles H. Lake, Adjutant; 1st Lieut. John S. Keenan, Quartermaster; Major Howard S. Dearing, Surgeon; 1st Lieut. William A. Rolfe, Assistant Surgeon; 1st Lieut. Horace B. Parker, Paymaster; 1st Lieut. John B. Paine, Inspector Rifle Practice; 1st Lieut. Horatio Hathaway, Jr., Signal Officer; 1st Lieut. Joseph S. Francis, Range Officer; 1st Lieut. George S. Stockwell, Aide-de-Camp; Rev. Edward A. Horton, Chaplain.

FIRST BATTALION.

Major Perlie A. Dyar.

"G" Battery. (Station, Boston.)