8th Massachusetts Militia Regiment
The 8th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Militia was a peacetime regiment of infantry that was activated for federal service in the Union Army for three separate tours during the American Civil War. The regiment consisted almost entirely of companies from Essex County, Massachusetts.
The unit was one of four Massachusetts militia regiments to respond to Abraham Lincoln's call for 75,000 volunteer troops after the Battle of Fort Sumter on April 15, 1861. Three companies of the 8th Massachusetts earned the distinction of being the first troops to report to Boston, arriving less than a day after the call. During their first "90 days" term, the regiment mainly served garrison duty in the vicinity of Elkridge, Maryland, repairing and guarding the railroad line between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. Shortly after arriving in Maryland, the regiment briefly occupied the United States Naval Academy, securing that installation and the USS Constitution, both of which were believed to be in danger of capture by Confederate troops. The regiment was again activated in September 1862 for a term of nine months. The 8th Massachusetts was stationed in New Bern, North Carolina, participated in several expeditions and saw minor skirmishing. The regiment responded to a third call for an enlistment of 100 days in July 1864. During their final term of service, the 8th Massachusetts served garrison duty in and around Baltimore. The regiment did not suffer any casualties in combat but lost 15 men due to disease.
