The Old First Massachusetts Coast Artillery in War and Peace

s almost to the breaking point, and people were tired of the very thought of a soldier. Volunteer regiments, upon their muster-out, d

nies retained interest in military affairs, and appreciated the importance of maintaining the militia, so that they connected themselves

. Chelsea continued to supply the 5th Company, having organized the "Rifles" (4th Unattached), soon renamed "Veterans," as a "depot" company for the original 5th Company (the "Volunteers"); Capt. John Q. Adams commanded. Veterans of the original 6th Company (now the 9th Unattached) under their war commander, Capt. George H. Smith, continued to represent the old number. The 10th Company of the 42d, under command of their war 1st Lieutenant, Edward Merrill, Jr., remained as 10th Company of the reorganized regiment. Thus six companies of Col. Burrell's new command were perpetuations of the old regiment of which he and Col. Cowdin had been field officers. The new 4th C

July 26, 1866, he was promoted to be Brigadier General. On August 29, 1866, Capt. George H. Johnston of the 2d Company b

ned; all enjoyed the experience of again wearing the blue uniform. Similar encampments were held in 1867, 1868, 1869 and 1872-all in Hull. In 1870 the entire state militia, under command of Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, encamped at Concord, an

ew Johnson. A similar compliment was paid to President U. S. Grant, June 16, 1869. T

of Newton, was organized in 1870,

ment profited by a new feeling on the part of the legislature that a good militia was worth the expenditure of a little money; for at that time the state began to make an allowance toward the purchase of uniforms. $20.00 was paid for ea

was then a city of frame buildings, standing close together, and separated by very narrow streets. On Nov. 11, fire broke out, and speedily grew uncontroll

n in uniform is the only one able to render any aid. Victims of the fire would not allow a stranger in civilian clothes so much as to assist them to places of safety, for fear of violence and robbery. The troops were kept on duty during thirteen days, the latter part of the period being devoted to guarding the ruins and aiding in the task of rehabilitation. One picturesque feature of the regiment's service was the escorting across the city of treasure val

an ex-Captain in the 6th Regiment. But he believed the time ripe for innovations and improvements. The Civil War officers were growing too old for active service; and no one was in training to take their place

ased efficiency; that very year the tour of camp duty was lengthened from three to four days, and from time to time thereafter successful effo

c. 17, 1873, the 1st Company adopted a badge or medal for use with full-dress uniforms and also on civilian clothes; and other companies were so favorably impressed by the innova

Indians. But when the state became fully settled the reason for popular skill in shooting ceased, and the shooting itself was discontinued. Thruout the Civil War, marksmanship was a neglected factor in the training of both northern and southern armies. By 1875 the need had become so crying that Capt. Smith and others succeeded in convincing the Massachusetts authorities. As soon as genuine rifle competitions were authorized, the members of the regiment, and especially of the 1st Company, stirred

its appearance on parade. In Col. Wilson's time there chanced to be included the fateful year, 1875, when eastern Massachusetts celebrated the centennials of Concord and Bunker Hill. With President Grant present from Washington on April 19, there were "great doings." On June 17 the "crack"-est military organizations from other states visited Boston to lend "tone" to the procession,-the 7th N. Y., the 5th Md., the 1st R. I., the 1st and 2d Pa. That

authorities began to talk of disbanding companies, just as they had always been accustomed to do. Finally the break came. Col. Wilson resigned on April 28, 1876, leaving Lt. Col. Alfred N. Proctor in command; and on the following July 6, the regiment was reduced to the dimensions of a battalion and was redesignated the "1st Battalion of Infantry." Lt. Col. Nathaniel Wales, who was placed in command, was a Civil War veteran with a brilliant record. He had enlisted as a private

e time of the reorganization and became the 10th Company. This reorganization was by no means limited to the 1

ed with the dedication of the Soldiers' and Sailors' monument on Boston Common. The companies presented a fine appearance in the eyes of the public; and following the celebration dined together much to their own gratificati

, the Chelsea Rifles to the 8th, and consolidated the 1st Battalion, the 3d Battalion and the 4th Battalion, as the "1st Regiment," Col. Nathaniel Wales commanding. The date of this important legislation was Dec. 3, 1878. By a stroke of genius the law-makers had created a twelve-company regiment, organized in three battalions each under command of a Major; and had devised a new plan of organization