The Old First Massachusetts Coast Artillery in War and Peace

The book tells the story of a storied Massachusetts militia that traces its roots back to the early days of the Republic. Beginning with a chaplain’s lyrical call to “lead,” it shows how a sense of duty and camaraderie helped shape the regiment’s identity long before the nation’s great wars. Early chapters paint a picture of disciplined volunteers who enlisted out of patriotism rather than profit, embodying a modest, citizen‑soldier ethic.

Later sections follow the unit through the Civil War, the rise of coastal artillery, and its modern incarnation in the National Guard. Readers learn how the regiment’s massive twelve‑inch rifles were operated by tightly coordinated crews, and why protecting Boston’s harbor remained a strategic priority. The narrative mixes personal anecdotes, technical details, and reflections on the lasting pride that still drives the “Old First” today.