As soon as the regiment found that their services would not be accepted
for three months, they set to work preparing for a three-year
enlistment. Lt. Col. Burrell and others who could not go for the long
term organized themselves into a reserve or “depot” regiment. New
companies which had been added in April with a view to entering the
three months’ service brought the total up to ten; and these all gladly
entered into the three-year enlistment. The Chadwick Light Infantry,
named for Hon. Joseph H. Chadwick of Roxbury, a liberal contributor
toward the company expenses, became 2d Company in the regiment. The
Pulaski Guards, newcomers in the regiment, shifted from 9th to 4th
place. Members of the Chelsea Light Infantry, a 7th Regiment command
which had just been disbanded because of the disobedience of its
captain, resented the false position in which they were placed; and
hastened in a body, on April 19, to the State House where, with Gov.
Andrew himself presiding, they reorganized and forthwith received a
charter as the “Chelsea Volunteers.” This accomplished, the new unit at
once became the 5th Company in the 1st Regiment. While there had been
two 7th Companies within a month, both had gone off with other
regiments; and the vacant number was now filled by the North End True
Blues. The True Blues consisted of caulkers, gravers and riggers from
the ship-yards. They had begun their history many years previously as a
fire-engine company, and in 1832 had taken up military training. But it
was not until April, 1861, that they regularly connected themselves with
the militia. A newly organized Brookline company took the 8th place,
made vacant by the transfer of the Boston Artillery. The National
Guards, newcomers in the regiment but with a history running back to the
Mexican war, assumed the 9th number. And the Schouler Guards, named
after the popular Adjutant General of Massachusetts, became the 10th
Company.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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