The Boston Cadets
(Volunteer Militia)
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Unit History
The entry into the service of these three units of Massachusetts Volunteer Militia is closely associated with" the great scare" so called, caused by the defeat of General Banks' force in the Shenandoah Valley, on the 24th and 25th of May, 1862, by the Confederates under Stonewall Jackson.
At a late hour on the 25th two telegrams were received from Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, the text of which is here given:
"Send all the troops forward that you can, immediately. Banks is completely routed. The enemy are, in large force, advancing on Harper's Ferry." routed. The enemy are, in large force, advancing on Harper's Ferry."
In response to these telegrams, on the morning of May 26, General Order No. 13 was issued from the office of the Adjutant General directing that the battalion of six companies stationed at Fort Warren should be raised immediately to a regiment and placed under command of Major Francis J. Parker as Colonel.
"Intelligence from various quarters leaves no doubt that the enemy, in great force, are advanceing on Washington. You will please organize and forward immediately all the volunteer and militia force in your State."
On the day following that on which this order was issued these six companies, which were to be thereafter known as the 32d Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf., were on their way to Washington. The departure of these companies left Fort Warren practically without a garrison.
On this same 26th day of May Special Order No. 94 was issued directing the Companies of Cadets of the First and Second Divisions, the Boston and Salem Cadets so called, commanded respectively by Lieutenant Colonel Christopher C. Holmes and Major John Louis Marks, to report forthwith to Colonel Dimmick (Dimick), U. S. A., commanding at Fort Warren, Boston Harbor, for active service. These companies responded immediately, and before this eventful day was done they were mustered into the service of the United States and took up their duties at the fort.
By another special order issued on the 26th the 4th Battalion of Infantry commanded by Major Francis L. Lee had also been called out to do garrison duty at Fort Warren. The battalion responded and on the morning of May 27, was mustered into the service.
Telegrams arriving from Washington on the 27th showed that the danger to the capital was past, and the alarm which had been caused in Massachusetts subsided. It was evident that the two Companies of Cadets would provide a sufficient guard for Fort Warren, so, by General Order No. 16, dated May 27, it was ordered that the 4th Battalion of Infantry should be mustered out. This was done on May 31, the battalion having been in the service four days. This same General Order No. 16 directed that the two Companies of Cadets should be mustered out as soon as they were relieved from duty at Fort Warren. The Boston Cadets were retained in the service until July 2, when their places were taken by Co. "B", 7th Regt. Inf., M. V. M., while the Salem Cadets were retained until October 11, on which dates respectively the Cadet Companies were mustered out and discharged.
