sending the list to the printer. In spite of all these precautions, inaccuracies, no doubt, will appear. About three hundred and seventy-five comrades have furnished me with at statement of their service, and that I have accepted in all cases as being correct.

It was thought that a series of maps showing the route of march of the regiment, the direction being indicated by arrows, – and the relative position of towns mentioned in the text, might aid the reader. They were plotted by the writer and submitted to Sergeant Coombs, who put them into their present shape. While they reflect credit on his skill as a draughtsman, he is not responsible for any errors they may contain. It should be borne in mind that the maps are not drawn to scale, as such a labor was deemed unnecessary for our purpose.

In sincerely thanking all those comrades who have aided. me in my labor, I ought not to forget the kindly services of Dr. Samuel A. Green, surgeon of the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts Volunteers, who has taken a great interest in the progress of the work, and whose advice and assistance have been of great value.

BOSTON, November 1, 1893.

CHARLES E. DAVIS, JR.

NOTE. The design on the front cover is a fac-simile of our monument at Gettysburg.

ORGANIZATION.

THE present generation has no conception of the consternation that prevailed among the people of the North when the startling news was received that Fort Sumter had been fired upon. It aroused the patriotic indignation of the community to the highest pitch of excitement.

Up to this time most people were sceptical about the possibilities of a war. Threats of secession had often been made before, by politicians of the South, without being carried into effect. The feeling of hatred that existed toward the North was not fully appreciated except by a comparatively small number of persons. Although the air was filled with rumors of war, they were generally believed to be nothing more than the irrepressible mutterings of disgruntled politicians. Therefore, when the announcement was made that Fort Sumter had been fired upon, it awoke the public mind to a realization that rebellion and secession were at hand. Public meetings were held in every town and city. Resolves were passed condemning the outrage, coupled with an expression of determination to avenge the insult to the national flag.

Such a display of bunting in Boston was never seen before. Across every street, at the mastheads of vessels lying in the harbor, in the horse-cars and on express-wagons, and upon private houses could be seen the American flag floating in the breeze; and, indeed, every opportunity was taken to give expression to the prevailing sentiment by displaying the national emblem.

On the 14th of April Fort Sumter surrendered. On the 15th a telegram was received by Governor Andrew to forward two regiments, and on the same day the following communication was sent to the Secretary of War:

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xii

To HON. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War:

BOSTON, April 15, 1861.

SIR: I have received telegrams from yourself and Brigadier-General Thomas, admonishing me of a coming requisition for twenty companies of sixty-four privates each; and I have caused orders to be distributed to bring the men into Boston before to-morrow night, and to await orders. Allow me to urge the issue of an order to the Springfield (Mass.) Armory, to double the production of arms at once, and to push the work to the utmost. If any aid by way of money or credit is needed from Massachusetts, I hope to be at once apprised. An extra session of our General Court can be called immediately, if need be; and, if called, it will respond to any demand of patriotism.

And I beg you would permit, in addition to suggesting the utmost activity at the Springfield Armory, to urge that the armory at Harper's Ferry be discontinued, and its tools, machinery, and works be transferred elsewhere, or else that it be rigidly guarded against seizure, of the danger of which I have some premonitions. If any more troops will certainly be needed from Massachusetts, please signify it at once, since I should prefer receiving special volunteers for active militia to detailing any more of our present active militia, especially as many most efficient gentlemen would like to raise companies or regiments, as the case may be, and can receive enlistments of men who are very ready to serve.

Allow me also to suggest that our forts in Boston Harbor are entirely unmanned. If authorized, I would put a regiment into the forts at any time.

Two of my staff spent last Saturday in making experiments of the most satisfactory character with Shenkle's new invention in projectiles; and so extraordinary was the firing that I have directed eighteen guns to be rifled, and projectiles to be made. May I commend this invention to the examination of the United States Government?

I am happy to add that I find the country's cause on every hand to-day.

On the morning of the 16th, ments began to arrive in Boston. heard in our streets continued stirring notes of martial music.

amplest proof of a warm devotion to the
Our people are alive.
Yours,

JOHN A. ANDREW. companies of the departing regiThe fife and the drum which were daily, for four years, to sound the

It was

The 19th of April, which is one of the days sacred to American history, on account of the battle of Lexington, this year received an additional interest from the events that were transpiring. celebrated by the ringing of bells, flag-raisings and speeches, a drill on Boston Common by one of the artillery companies, and at noon by the firing of one hundred guns in honor of the day.

While the people were thus actively engaged in celebrating the day, news was received that the Sixth Regiment had been attacked in the streets of Baltimore. The most intense excitement followed. Men gathered in groups about the streets, while crowds surrounded the bulletin boards of the newspapers to learn the particulars.

If anything was needed to arouse the patriotism of the North, it had now occurred. Public meetings were held in various parts of the city. Merchants, lawyers, physicians, and members of other professions met, and offers of service and money were proffered for the use of the State. Large loans were generously offered by the Boston banks and by the banks of other cities, for the State's immediate use, trusting to the honor of the Legislature to reimburse them, when it met. Numerous offers of money were made to the Governor by private individuals, as aid to soldiers' families. Nor were women lagging behind the men in enthusiasm. Rich and poor, high and low, all offered their services for the preparation of bandages and lint, the making of garments, attendance in hospitals, or any other service compatible with their sex.

Business seemed, for the time, to be forgotten in the excitement. The minds of men were too much disturbed to give proper attention to other matters. Only one subject possessed the public mind, to protect the government from the clutches of traitorous hands.

It was under the influence of these patriotic demonstrations, as exhibited in all the cities and towns of Massachusetts during the first months of the war, that our regiment was enrolled. Many of the young men who left lucrative positions were guaranteed them on their return, by their employers. The generous impulses of all were awakened by the danger that threatened the country.

The first four companies, A, B, C, and D, were known as the Fourth Battalion of Rifles, and were raised in Boston.

On the 21st of September, 1821, Governor John Brooks, on the petition of John S. Tyler and others, authorized the formation of a military company in the then town of Boston, and this company was called the Boston City Greys, subsequently changed to the Boston City Guards, by which name it was known at the breaking It passed through the various vicissitudes of

out of the war.