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

by James A. Frye

Receiving the commissions from the hands of Colonel Bradley of his staff, who had served through the Civil War in the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery of 1861, the Governor then presented them to the officers of the regiment in the order of their rank, finally turning to Colonel Pfaff to say, "I congratulate you, Colonel, upon the regiment you have the honor to command, and upon the service you now enter."

On the conclusion of this very simple yet impressive ceremony, the regiment was dismissed. The Governor then made an informal inspection of battery quarters, and afterwards was conducted over the works in order that he might see for himself whatever of progress was being made towards installing modern armament in the main fortification of his capital city. Later, with the members of his staff, he was the guest of the officers' mess at luncheon; and early in the afternoon he took final leave of the regiment, which always had considered it an honor to serve under him as commander-in-chief, but now—though not without a touch of regret—had passed for a time beyond his authority.

ASSIGNMENT TO STATIONS

X.

The day now had come when, after the custom of the artillery service, the regiment must be broken up and scattered in its isolated posts along shore. General Merritt was relieved of the command of the Department of the East on May 20th, to go to the far East as commanding officer of the Philippine expedition. His successor was General Frank, U.S.V., promoted from the colonelcy of the First United States Artillery, who lost no time in issuing orders (S.O., 112, H.Q., D.E., 23rd May) for the final distribution of the regiment to its stations. The text of this order read:

"The following assignment to stations of the First Regiment Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, now at Fort Warren—Colonel Pfaff, commanding—is hereby ordered: Colonel Pfaff, with headquarters and two batteries, to Salem, and to command the various fortifications and points on the North Shore of Massachusetts where batteries of his regiment are placed. The Lieutenant-Colonel, and two batteries, to Clark's Point, Mass. Major Frye, with 'E,' 'F,' 'I,' and 'M' Batteries, will remain on duty at Fort Warren, as heretofore designated by telegraphic orders. The four remaining batteries, one each to Gloucester, Marblehead, Nahant, and Plum Island, Mass. Colonel Pfaff will designate the unassigned field officers and batteries for stations to the points other than Fort Warren, as he shall deem advisable, notifying these headquarters of the letters of batteries, and the officers so assigned, to the respective stations. The troops will take tents, camp equipage, and ten days' rations."

This order ended for the time being all speculation as to the destination of the regiment in the immediate future, and though it certainly failed to please everybody, it yet was received with little comment by those whom it concerned. It was recognized that artillery posts must vary from good to indifferent, or even from indifferent to bad, and the officers spent their leisure moments in pleasant conjectures as to undesirability of the assignments which were destined to fall to their lot.

On May 30th Colonel Pfaff issued the orders for the distribution of the First and Second Battalions. "G" (Chick's) and "L" (Whiting's) Batteries, with Lieutenant Paine, range officer, and Lieutenant Bryant, assistant surgeon, were ordered to report to Lieutenant-Colonel Woodman, to take station at New Bedford. For the garrison at Salem, "C" (Nutter's) and "D" (Frothingham's) Batteries were designated, under Major Dyar as commanding officer of the post, to whom was to report Lieutenant Rolfe, assistant surgeon, so soon as relieved from his detail as post surgeon at Fort Warren. Major Quinby, with "K" (Howes') Battery, and Hospital Steward White, were assigned to the defenses at Gloucester. Captain Lombard, with "B" Battery, and Hospital Steward Phillips, were ordered to Newburyport, to establish a post at the entrance of the harbor. Captain Pratt, with "H" Battery, was assigned to the works at Marblehead. Captain Bordman, with "A" Battery, was directed to take station at Nahant, for the protection of the mining casemate at that point.

Preparation for these movements began promptly, but stormy weather and delay in securing transportation made it over a week before the last of the departing batteries was able to leave Fort Warren. Meanwhile the posts for which these detachments from the regiment were destined had been garrisoned temporarily by the militia—commanded at first by General Mathews, and later by General Bancroft. Influenced by the prevailing uneasiness, Governor Wolcott, on May 7th, had prudently ordered his remaining State troops into the field for the protection of the coast until such time as the general Government should assume the responsibility, and the Fifth Infantry, the First and Second Battalions of Cadets, with the three light batteries, had been rendering valuable service at exposed points, from Hull to the mouth of the Merrimac. Unable to enter the volunteer service, under the limits imposed by the call of the President, these commands eagerly had responded to the call of the Commonwealth, and they most certainly are entitled to recognition for the faithful work performed, under most trying conditions as to weather, during the thirty days of their tour.