Col. Wales' regiment, when he received his commission on Dec. 30, 1878, consisted of the following twelve companies:
1, The Roxbury Artillery or City Guard.
2, The Boston Light Infantry.
3, The Taunton Light Guard.
4, The New Bedford City Guards.
5, The Standish Guards of Plymouth.
6, The Massachusetts Guards of Cambridge.
7, The Pierce Light Guard of Boston.
8, The West Roxbury Rifles.
9, The Taunton City Guard.
10, The Cunningham Rifles of Brockton.
11, The Maverick Rifles of East Boston.
12, The Fall River Rifles.
The Fusiliers and the Chelsea Rifle-Veterans were temporarily detached from the regiment, and the Claflin Guards were gone, never to return so far as we now know.
The 1st and 8th Companies were directly from the 1st Regiment. The 2d, 6th, 7th and 11th Companies came from the 4th Battalion; the 3d Company came originally from the 4th Regiment and immediately from the 3d; the 4th, 5th and 9th Companies were from the 3d Regiment; the 10th was originally from the 3d and immediately from the 1st. A new 12th Company was organized on Dec. 12, 1878, with Capt. Sierra L. Braley in command.
The new company speedily forged to the head in efficiency and has always been one of the three or four leaders in the entire regiment.
Boston celebrated the 250th anniversary of its settlement on Sept. 17, 1880, and along with other features included a magnificent military display. Everyone conceded that, while other bodies presented a fine appearance, the feature of the parade was the twelve-company 1st Regiment. That day, for the last time, the companies wore their original uniforms--old 1st Regiment, gray with towering bearskin shakos; 4th Battalion, a semi-Zouave costume with low shakos, double breasted blue coats, light blue bloused knickerbockers, and high leather leggins; and the 3d Regiment, low shakos, short blue coats, single-breasted but with three rows of buttons, and blue trousers. The regiment was received enthusiastically by the people of Boston and the day was one long to be remembered.
But changes were projected in the interests of efficiency, and first of all, in that very year, 1880, it was decided to adopt the 4th Battalion uniform for the entire twelve companies. So satisfactory did this prove that the Commonwealth utilized the same costume as a state uniform, and issued it to all the organizations of Massachusetts in 1884. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery; but it can scarcely be said that the 1st relished sharing their distinctive uniform with all the militia,--they felt that they had paid dearly for this flattery.
Thereafter the regiment was to be subjected to a continuous and intensifying process of military improvement, at the hands first of the state authorities, and presently of the "Department of Militia Affairs"
or "Militia Bureau" in the War Department. While it was inevitable that there should be a deal of experimentation whose results were not always satisfactory, it remains true that constant progress was made thruout the ensuing years. National Guardsmen, since they are human, are prone to complain; certainly they greeted almost every innovation with a chorus of "kicks." But as soon as a change had demonstrated its usefulness, it was heartily welcomed. More and more time was demanded of the men; and on the other hand part of this increased service was rewarded with increased pay by the State or Nation. The four days of camp duty required in 1873 had stretched to fifteen days in 1916, the twelve armory drills of early days to forty-eight. State and Federal pay were not an adequate recompense for the labor performed; the service was still one of unselfish patriotism. But the money invested by the authorities in camp and "rendezvous drill" pay did unquestionably testify to the higher esteem in which, with the passing years, the Guard came to stand. One noticeable consequence of the increasing military strictness was the gradual lowering of average age amongst the companies. Older men cannot be away from their business or families for so many hours and days, under ordinary circumstances. American armies have always been made up of very young men; and under the stress of increased requirements, the National Guard came to be similarly constituted.
One company participated in the exercises connected with the funeral of Pres. James A. Garfield at Cleveland in 1881.
Nathaniel Wales was elected Brigadier General on Feb. 21, 1882, and on Feb. 24, Austin C. Wellington became Colonel. The Tiger battalion, during the eight years of Wellington's command, had become the most prominent military institution in Boston; now the entire 1st Regiment was to profit by the skill of the same man, a skill truly amounting to genius. Peculiar qualities are demanded of one who is to succeed in highest degree as a National Guardsman. He must be a well-trained soldier and a hard worker as a matter of course. He must command respect for his personal character and must be able to impart knowledge to others. He must enforce rigid discipline, and must do it without resorting to regular army methods of punishment. On top of all, there has to be sufficient personal magnetism in his make-up to attract men, and enthusiasm enough to overflow and fire others. This description of a model Guardsman is nothing more or less than a description of Austin C.
Wellington. No wonder that during his six years of command, the regiment was to register a new high-water mark of success.
Now the old companies began to come back. When in 1883 the Standish Guards suffered disbandment, their place was promptly taken by the company which had originally held it, the Chelsea Rifles. The Taunton Light Guard ceased to exist in 1884, and at first, the vacant 3d number was filled by the formation of a new company in Natick. Four years later the Natick organization transferred and became Co. L of the 9th, and then the Fusiliers returned to their proper place as 3d Company.
1882 was notable for the Daniel Webster centennial. Pres. Chester A.
Arthur honored Boston with a visit on this occasion, and on Oct. 11, the 1st Regiment served as Presidential escort during the celebration at Marshfield. The habit of visiting distant cities now grew on the regiment, so that on August 8, 1885, they were found in New York participating in the tremendous funeral procession in honor of their old-time commander-in-chief, U. S. Grant. Their fame grew.
All Roxbury joined in celebrating the centennial of its favorite corps, the City Guard, in 1884. March 22 of that year will long be remembered for its parade, and other demonstrations of affectionate enthusiasm. In 1886 the 12th Company visited Providence, R. I., as guests of the Light Infantry; and assisted their hosts to celebrate in fitting manner the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of Rhode Island's settlement. 1887 brought the Fusilier centennial; and was likewise properly observed.
In 1887 the United States celebrated the centenary of the signing of its constitution, choosing Philadelphia, where the document had been drafted, as the place for the demonstration. Massachusetts decided to send Gov. Oliver Ames and to provide, as his military escort, the most proficient regiment in the State. It was not necessary to lose any time searching for the regiment--orders were promptly issued to Col.
Wellington, that he prepare his command for the Philadelphia trip, the Commonwealth to pay expenses. Sept. 15 found the regiment on its way to Philadelphia, Sept. 16 saw them marching as one of the most brilliant units of the great parade under command of Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, while Sept. 17 was signalized by their return to Boston. D. W. Reeves was band-leader that year--no unworthy successor to Fillebrown and Gilmore--and he contributed, as his share in the event, a new march, "The March of the First." Chaplain Minot J. Savage, who added to his gift of eloquence the rarer talent of poetry, wrote words for Reeves'
music,
"We're brothers of all noble men, Who wear our country's blue; We brothers find in any race, Where men are brave and true.
But we've a pride in our own band, And we are all agreed, Whatever grand deeds others do, The 'Old First' still shall lead."
The fame of the regiment became nation-wide as a consequence of the Philadelphia trip.
Col. Wellington's most notable innovation was the introduction of artillery instruction, or the re-introduction, as it was for those companies originally in the old First. The change was made for the purpose of rendering drills more interesting. It is easier to maintain the interest of artillerymen--they have their guns as a rallying-point.
Moreover the artillery virus was in the 1st Regiment blood and was bound eventually to manifest its presence.
That year of Col. Wellington's accession, 1882, the legislature appropriated $5,000 for the construction of "Battery Dalton" at Framingham. Named in honor of the Adjutant General, Samuel Dalton, it was truly a marvelous work of coast defence. Its mortars had a range of five hundred yards. After firing the projectile, the cannoneers walked over and solemnly dug the same up from its self-made grave, and fired it over again. Artillery practice was economically conducted in those pioneer days. Sept. 13, 1883, the regiment was permitted to hold one day's practice at Fort Warren, a great concession by the War Department, and a long step in artillery progress. Sept. 4, 1885, one month after the Grant funeral, the privilege of artillery practice was repeated.
A riot in Cambridge brought the 6th Company into active service for two days on Feb. 21 and 22, 1887.
Col. Wellington's death occurred while he still filled the office of regimental commander, on Sept. 18, 1888. The funeral is said to have been the saddest tour of duty ever performed by the regiment, an expression of heart-felt grief. They were then looking forward to occupying the new South Armory; and everyone contributed the entire pay received for the day toward the expenses of a memorial room in the building. This money equipped and furnished the gymnasium in the tower, the room now devoted to the war-game.
Thomas R. Mathews, Colonel from Dec. 10, 1888, until July 19, 1897, had served in the 2d Company during the Civil War, and had subsequently been Captain of the 1st Co. (in 1880). On Oct. 8, 1888, just before Col.
Mathews' election, the regiment took part in a general mobilization of militia in Boston. On Thanksgiving day, Nov. 28, 1889, the Boston companies were assembled at the armories in readiness for service in maintaining public order at a great fire then raging. Fortunately they did not have to leave their stations.
Prior to 1890 the Companies had been quartered in various halls and rinks of Boston and the suburbs, Faneuil Hall being the most coveted location, unavailable, however, most of the time, and Boylston Hall, Boylston and Washington Streets, ranking next.
1890 was the date of the South Armory dedication. Massachusetts had entered, after long years of discussion, upon her policy of providing adequate accommodations for her volunteer militia. New York had led the way ten years earlier; and the Massachusetts authorities were especially indebted to the N. Y. 7th for providing an armory after which others could pattern. It is a far cry from the 7th's building to that on Irvington St., but there is a similarity of type. It must be borne in mind that the South Armory was relatively one of the best in the country when the 1st Regiment occupied it in 1890. Nor had the railroad developed into such a nuisance at that time. The South Armory was the first State armory in Massachusetts; and led the way for the entire series, by means of which our troops are quartered as well as any in the land; its dedication was an important event in military history. Fall River followed, and dedicated her State armory in 1895, Cambridge and New Bedford in 1903, Brockton in 1906, Chelsea in 1907, and Taunton in 1917. Chelsea and Brockton subsequently lost their buildings by fire; the structures were rebuilt respectively in 1909 and 1912.
Col. Mathews' command served as personal escort to Gov. William E.
Russell, Feb. 29, 1892, at the ceremony of presenting Massachusetts'
first long-service medals. Amongst others, twenty-eight officers and men of the 1st received medals.
An artillery tour was held at Fort Warren, Aug. 7 to 13, 1892, when the men had practice on the eight-inch muzzle-loading converted rifles and the fifteen-inch muzzle-loading smooth-bores. Modern coast artillery had not yet "arrived"; but the regiment was making progress. In 1893 they encamped at Framingham and manned "Battery Dalton" once more. In 1895 they had their last experience with these twelve-inch mortars--and the sand-bank five hundred yards away; 1894, 1896 and 1897 saw them at Fort Warren each summer. In 1896 the regulars did not take them seriously and could not "waste time" instructing the militiamen; in 1897, with Lieut.
Erasmus M. Weaver temporarily detailed as instructor, the regiment made progress. Thereafter, until 1911, regular officers from the forts added to their other service the duty of visiting the South Armory and coaching the militia regiment.
All twelve companies were ordered to be in readiness on March 10, 1893, for service in connection with the disastrous "Lincoln St. fire," but were not marched out of the armories.
The state expended $2,500 in 1894 providing a model battery at the South Armory. While crude compared with the huge gun and mortar installed in 1913, to which the name "Battery Lombard" is sometimes given, this earlier artillery installation marked a long advance in drills and instruction.
On Oct. 9, 1894, the regiment again participated in a general mobilization of the militia at Boston. The monument to Robert Gould Shaw, on the Common, was formally dedicated May 31, 1897, and the regiment paraded in honor of the event. One feature of the day recalled certain historic processions of thirty years previously--the New York 7th, in which Col. Shaw had once served, came on to have a share in this demonstration of affection.
On June 1, 1897, by act of the legislature, the regiment received a new name--it became the 1st Regiment of Heavy Artillery. In point of fact it had begun to separate from the 1st Brigade back in Col. Wellington's time, and had become increasingly committed to the artillery branch; this act of legislation officially recognized a transition which had already taken place. Now the facings on the uniforms could be changed from the blue of infantry to the brighter and more distinctive scarlet.
Massachusetts was the first state to have heavy artillery in its militia--the old regiment was again "first." Companies were rechristened "batteries" in connection with the change of service.
Col. Mathews became Brigadier General on July 19, 1897, and Charles Pfaff succeeded as Colonel on July 28. Col. Pfaff's military training had been in the Cadets, and as Captain of the 8th Company, Coast Artillery; and he had served four years as Major. To him was to fall the honor of commanding the regiment during its Spanish War service.
There was nothing unexpected about the war with Spain. From the day the "Maine" was destroyed until April 25, when war was declared, more than two months elapsed. Members of the command were in constant readiness during this entire period for the summons which they knew must come; and it was well understood that instant mobilization would ensue upon receipt of orders.
But if we had reason to be in readiness, we also had good cause to anticipate danger and hardship. The United States was notorious for lack of preparedness, both by land and sea. On the other hand the might of the Spanish fleet and the fame of the "Spanish infantry" had been so magnified that much popular trepidation existed. Boston anticipated instant attack; merchants and bankers deposited their treasure with inland banks; while real estate owners were insistent that the national government should afford them protection. Col. Pfaff and his men were to volunteer in the belief that they would meet with instant and active fighting. Beyond question the general public drew a deep sigh of relief as the blue-clad column, on that fateful 26th of April, to the music of the "March of the First," swung steadily down Huntington Ave. The out-of-town commands had left their home stations early and received Godspeed from newsboys and milkmen only. In Boston, however, the display of enthusiasm left nothing to be desired; and demonstrated not only the city's dependence upon its heavy artillerymen but also its real affection for the red-legged organization. They were paid from April 25.
Besides Col. Pfaff, the regimental officers were: Lt. Col., Charles B.
Woodman; Majors, Perlie A. Dyar, George F. Quinby, James A. Frye; Captains, 1st Co., Joseph H. Frothingham; 2d Co., Frederic S. Howes; 3d Co., Albert B. Chick; 4th Co., Joseph L. Gibbs; 5th Co., Walter L.
Pratt; 6th Co., Walter E. Lombard; 7th Co., Charles P. Nutter; 8th Co., John Bordman, Jr.; 9th Co., Norris O. Danforth; 10th Co., Charles Williamson; 11th Co., Frederick M. Whiting; 12th Co., Sierra L. Braley.
Capt. Braley had been private and corporal in the 3d Reg. during its nine-months service in 1862. He had been 2d Lieutenant in Battery I, 2d Mass. Heavy Art., and in Bat. L, 14th U. S. Colored Art., during 1864 and 1865. From 1866 until 1878 he continuously held commissions in the 3d Reg. and, after 1878, in the 1st, his latest command being the 12th Company. Capt. Braley was the only officer of the regiment to serve in both the Civil and Spanish Wars.
On April 26 the regiment began active duty at Fort Warren, the orders reading that they would encamp there for eight days. Five more days were added to this; and then the command was taken into the U. S. service "for the war." Since the thirteen days of state duty is added to the total in computing their record, they were the first regiment of the entire nation to begin war service. The Old First still led.
When they left the armory for Fort Warren, there were only six men absent from the command--four sick and two out of the country.
Opportunity was later given for men with families to withdraw, if they desired; and all were subjected to a rigid physical examination.
Ultimately three per cent. were rejected for disability and eight per cent. excused for family reasons. These vacancies were immediately filled from the throngs of would-be recruits who volunteered. It was a disappointment to the regiment that the War Department never permitted them to increase their numbers to the full war strength; their Spanish War roster bore 751 names.
They started out in the rain on April 26, and it seemed as if it would rain until they returned; during their first six weeks, they were blest with sunshine only three days. By and by, when they had ceased to care, the weather changed and they had sunny days. At Warren they were quartered in wooden buildings, originally election booths in the city; prisoners from Deer Island were imported to assist in erecting these; and some humorist promptly designated them the "3d Corps of Cadets."