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and cars were put in order by the men of the Eighth.
Many of them were mechanics, who had made locomotives and cars.
On the 24th of April, the Eighth and the New-York Seventh marched twenty-two miles to the Junction.
The heat was oppressive, and the men suffered for want of food.
‘On arriving at the Junction, they dropped asleep.’
On the afternoon of Friday, April 26, the regiment arrived in Washington, eight days after its departure from Boston.
The National Intelligencer the next morning, speaking of the Eighth, said, ‘We doubt whether any other single regiment in the country could furnish such a ready contingent to reconstruct a steam-engine, lay a rail-track, and bend the sails of a man-of-war.’
General Butler remained behind at Annapolis in command of that important post.
The hard labor of laying the railroad track, and repairing the locomotives and cars, had worn out the men's uniforms.
The fact being presented to the President by Colonel Monroe, he ordered them to be furnished with army trousers and blouses.
On the 30th of April, the regiment was mustered into the United-States service.
The regiment remained in Washington until the middle of May, when it was ordered to the Relay House to guard the railroad.
It remained there, with changes of detail, until the 29th of July, when it received orders to return home.
It arrived in Boston on the 1st of August, where it was honorably received, and addressed by the Mayor of the city.
These soldiers received the thanks of the United-States House of Representatives, ‘for the energy and patriotism displayed by them in surmounting obstacles upon sea and land, which traitors had interposed to impede their progress to the defence of the national capital.’
On the 4th of July, while at the Relay House, the regiment was presented with a new flag, made and forwarded by the ladies of Lynn.
On the 12th of May, Colonel Monroe resigned his commission, and Lieutenant-Colonel Hinks was elected to fill the vacancy.
In acknowledgment of the long and valuable services of Colonel Monroe in the militia of his State and country, Governor Andrew directed the Adjutant-General to address him the following letter:—
1868. E. P. DUtton and Co. Boston,.
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