On the afternoon of April 3rd the post flag was lowered in the camp of the Eighth, and the regiment, numbering 46 officers and 1177 men, embarked. Early the next morning the transport steamed out of Matanzas Bay, and the foreign service of the regiment was ended.
Just before sailing, a messenger from the Municipal Government of Matanzas presented the Colonel with an official copy of a proclamation, which had been adopted and issued by the city the preceding day.
"TO THE EIGHTH REGIMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS.
The brief period which you have spent among us has been sufficient to enable us to appreciate your patriotism, your great virtues, and your self-sacrifice and generosity. An indelible token of eternal gratitude and admiration you leave stamped upon our hearts. You are worthy sons of George Washington.
You are returning to your beloved homes. Return then; There, love, friendship and hope await you. Speed you, and be you happy there, you who have accomplished in Cuba the greatest moral and material undertaking of the 19th century. There you will be able to hold up your heads among the great and the good; for great and noble also are those who there have contributed to the glory of the homeland. Believe therefore, and be assured that you leave friends here, brethren whose gratitude will ever cause them to love and bless you. Farewell!
Matanzas, April 3, 1899: ALFRED O. CARNOT, _Mayor of the City._
By order of the Council: Municipal Residence."
The trip to Boston was uneventful, except that sea sickness among the cooks and the novelty of handling rations on board ship, somewhat disarranged the commissary department.
Early Sunday morning, April 9th, Boston Light was sighted. At quarantine, Governor Wolcott boarded the ship bringing the welcome of the Commonwealth. In the afternoon the regiment disembarked at the New England docks, and marched to the South Armory. A salute was tendered the Mayor at City Hall, and the Governor at the State House. There was a tremendous outpouring of people to welcome the troops, and their demonstration was magnificent. The soldiers marching with rhythmic swing and perfect alignment, and their brown, hearty and healthy appearance, testified to the drill and discipline they had undergone during their term of service. The regiment was furloughed to report at the South Armory on April 12th, and the companies were dismissed to their home stations, where they were received with great demonstrations of joy and many impromptu celebrations.