The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-05-13
Off FOR THE SOUTH,
Second Massachusetts, Regiment
Started Yesterday.

Camp Dewey, South birmingham,
Mass, May 12.-The Second Massc chu-
sets Regiment, U. S. volunteers, the first
BODY OF troops from the old Bay State,
TO be called into active campaigning,
late this afternoon left Camp Dewey
bound for the South. The departure OF
the brave soldier boys, near all of whom
| come from the western part of the state,
was both fearful and patriotic event,
and the thousands of people who were on
hand to give "God speed" to the regi-
ment will long remember the scenes in
and about the camp and the railroad de-
pot. The fact that the regiment had been
| ordered to the far South, even to Cuba
perhaps. We're generally known last night
and naturally the entire camp was per-
vaded with suppressed excitement all last
| night and all day. When official march.
Ing orders came this noon, the regiment
was. then nearly ready to proceed. The
morning gun was hardly needed to awak-
en- the men of the Second Regiment for
most OF them had spent sleepless night
The usual morning setting up drill was
SSNSh WlU'i Ill d Lively laSQlOu
and no sooner had breakfast been dis
posed OF when the call was sounded to
prepare to strike tents. The order to
strike them came just at 8 O'Clock and in
twinkle the canvass village occupied
for week by the Second Regiment had
disappeared.
The work of packing up camp eouip-
page was expedited by the earnestness Of
the men to get marching ORDERS The
scene Of the camp ground all the morn
ing was lively one for a stiff breeze was
blowing which caused all sorts of light
debris from the Second Regiments quar-
tiers to be carried far out on the parade
ground, making constant policing nec-
essarys
The first official, and accordingly def
mite orders for Col. Clark's command to
move, came at noon, and so after tents
had been bundled up and mess outfits
packed, the militia men were ordered to
rest on arms. Visitors had begun to
swarm into camp and the men of the
Second were the heroes Of the occasion
Chief among the attractive features was
the re-appeaarnce of the former regimen
tai band followed by fully 500 people from
Springfield, Worcester and other places
the homes of the individual companies of
the command. The visiting delegation
held short parade and then enthusiasm
ran high only to be interrupted by Gov.
.UOlCOpO dIlu AuJutduU O0leTdl DdlOl,
who had come to bid the regiment good
bye in the name of the commonwealth.
Shortly after 3 O'Clock the assembly was
sounded and the Second Regiment came
out for it's farewell parade on this field
for many days. The regiment then passed
in review in column of companies, the
ceremony being finely performed. The
with Col. Clark and Gov. Wolcott in the
centre. The latter then addressed the
soldiers, saying:
"You are about to leave the state to en-
gage in war for humanity's sake against
cruel power. The hopes and best wish
es of the commonwealth go with you.
Keep bold heart and clean body. Remain
true to the commonwealth and be loyal
to the flag of our country. Be obedient
to your officers, loyal and temperate at all
times and you will have the confidence of
every citizen Of our commonwealth"
Col. Clarke in reply pledged the gov
ernor that the men of his command would
do the very best they could to uphold
the honor of the state and country.
Gov. Wolcott then presented the COM
missions, calling each officer by name as
he presented it,and designating the regi-
ment as the Second Massachusetts, Infan-
try. U. S. volunteers.
When the ceremony was over the regi-
mental band played and cheers went up
the regiment to prepare to move and very
soon the baggage of the officers was on
it's way to the depot. The regiment fol-
lowed, accompanied by an immense
throng OF people, everybody cheering for
the men.
The regiment left over the New York,
New Haven and Hartford railroad in two
trains bound for Newport, where the
steamer was to be in waiting.
In the quarters of the other regiments
there was considerable activity today,
mastering in the sixth continuing, Cos.
A, Of Wakefield, + of Marlboro, G of
Lowell and E of birmingham being en-
rolled. ~
The governor returned to Boston at 6. s5
O'Clock.