It was at this time that a fact developed which—though overlooked in the rush of events at the time—must be placed on record now to the credit of the regiment. It must be recalled that definite orders for assembly were received late on the afternoon of the 25th, and that the men reported to their commands almost at daybreak on the 26th; recalling this, it certainly should give cause for just pride to the friends of the regiment, as well as to those who in the past have labored long and untiringly for the efficiency of the militia of Massachusetts, that in this emergency over ninety-nine per cent. of the regimental strength answered at morning roll-call, and reported for whatever service might be forthcoming. The commissioned and enlisted strength, under the State organization, aggregated seven hundred and ninety-three. The morning reports handed to the adjutant, during the short rest before the regiment took up its march towards the wharves, showed fifty officers and seven hundred and thirty-six enlisted men present, with only seven enlisted men absent—and of the latter, all were satisfactorily accounted for by reason of sickness or absence from the State. Much has been said during the past few months of the unreliability of militia in grave national emergencies, and it unfortunately is too true that in many States the records of the late war have tended to give force to such charges, but let it be remembered in Massachusetts, so long as there exists a First Regiment in its military establishment, that when a sudden call came, to meet what was felt to be a very real danger, the absentees when assembly was sounded numbered less than nine-tenths of one per cent. of the strength borne upon the regimental rolls. Soon after ten o'clock, the regiment formed in line of masses. The regimental colors were brought from the colonel's quarters, and were received with three hearty cheers. Then the battalions stood at attention while Chaplain Horton earnestly addressed the men on the significance of the day's events. At the close of his remarks the regiment broke into column of detachments, the heavy doors of the armory swung wide, and the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery—literally the first militia regiment in the country to come to the assistance of the general Government—marched out for the war, with its band at the head of the column playing the time-honored "March of The First." OFF FOR ACTIVE SERVICE IV.