William Schouler, A history of Massachusetts in the Civil War: Volume 1

soldiers,—We stand upon that spot to which the good pleasure of the Commander-in-chief, and our own dearest wishes, have assigned us. To lead the advance guard of freedom and constitutional liberty, and of perpetuity of the Union, is the honor we claim, and which, under God, we will maintain. [Applause.]

Sons of Puritans, who believe in the providence of Almighty God! as he was with our fathers, so may he be with us in this strife for the right, for the good of all, for the great missionary country of liberty! [Applause.] And, if we prove recreant to our trust, may the God of battles prove our enemy in the hour of our utmost need!

Soldiers! we march to-night; and let me say for you all to the good people of the Commonwealth, that we will not turn back, till we show those who have laid their hand upon the fabric of the Union, there is but one thought in the North,—the union of these States, now and for ever, one and inseparable.

The regiment left Boston at four o'clock that afternoon by Worcester and Springfield, and was greeted with the same unbounded enthusiasm the Sixth received. General Butler accompanied it as commander of the Massachusetts brigade. While the train stopped at Worcester, he spoke a few words to the crowd at the depot. ‘In this contest,’ he said, ‘we banish party differences. We are all Americans. We love our country and its flag; and it is only by the sword we can have peace, and only in the Union, liberty.’

The regiment reached New York on the morning of the 19th, and marched down Broadway amid the congratulations of the vast multitude. This was the second Massachusetts regiment that had marched through that city in advance of all others, while two other regiments were on the seas for Fortress Monroe. After partaking of the generous hospitalities tendered them, the regiment crossed to Jersey City, and proceeded by railroad to Philadelphia, which it reached at six o'clock that evening, and first received positive information concerning the attack made upon the Sixth in Baltimore that day.

The field and staff officers of the Fifth Regiment were, Samuel C. Lawrence, of Medford, colonel; J. Durell Greene, of Cambridge, lieutenant-colonel; Hamlin W. Keyes, of Boston, major; Thomas O. Barri, of Cambridge, adjutant; Joseph E. Billings, of Boston, quartermaster; G. Foster Hodges, of