The Campaign of the Forty-fifth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia "The Cadet Regiment"

The narrative comes from a former member of Company A, who recorded his memories while the war was still fresh. He takes listeners from the regiment’s mustering at Camp Meigs through the long march south, describing cramped quarters, steady marching rhythms, and the uneasy anticipation before reaching North Carolina’s swamps. Interspersed are the artist’s sketches—front view of the Newbern barracks, a map of the Kinston field, and lively camp scenes—that bring the moments to vivid life.

The book grew out of the regiment’s annual reunions, where veterans swapped stories over coffee and laughter. That setting gives the account a conversational tone, as the author recalls Colonel Kinsley’s humor, the camaraderie of the men, and the small acts that steadied them in uncertainty. Listeners will hear the clang of musketry, the quiet of night watches, and the steady march of a volunteer unit trying to hold its resolve. It offers a personal glimpse into a lesser‑known chapter of the Civil War, preserving both hardship and the bonds forged on distant battlefields.