History of the Forty-Eighth Regiment M. V. M. During the Civil War

The book presents a day‑by‑day record of the men who answered Massachusetts’ call to arms in the summer of 1862. Written in a diary style, it follows the volunteers from their arrival at Camp Lander in Wenham, through the hurried organization of companies and the appointment of civilian leader Eben F. Stone as camp commandant. Against the backdrop of a nation just ignited by the fall of Fort Sumter, the narrative captures the urgency and optimism that propelled ordinary citizens into uniform.

Within the cramped barracks, the recruits spend long hours drilling, learning weapon handling, and adjusting to military routine, while occasional moments of levity break the monotony. A brief but tense confrontation erupts when rival officers resent Stone’s civilian appointment, leading to a brick‑filled assault on his headquarters that ends without serious injury. These early episodes set the tone for the regiment’s shared hardships and camaraderie as they prepare to join the larger Army of the Gulf.