The First regiment Massachusetts heavy artillery, United States volunteers, in the Spanish-American war of 1898

A vivid chronicle of the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, this volume invites listeners into the daily life of a citizen‑soldier regiment on the cusp of war. The narrator, a former major, weaves together official orders, personal reflections, and quirky anecdotes that capture the camaraderie and discipline forged during years of peacetime training. Early chapters explore the coastal‑defence challenges of Massachusetts, the rallying call of April 1898, and the march from local forts to the front lines.

The book’s structure combines a clear historical overview with richly illustrated sections on forts, batteries, and the men who manned them. Detailed rosters and muster rolls bring individual stories to the fore, while vivid descriptions of the regiment’s deployment at Fort Warren, Fort Pickering, and Fort Rodman illustrate the logistical and human side of the Spanish‑American conflict. Listeners will come away with a deeper appreciation for a unit that balanced local pride with national duty, all told in a straightforward, engaging voice.