At this time, when the regiment was anxious to move, and congratulating itself on the absence of all sickness, measles broke out. The matter was kept quiet, and every company was inspected by the surgeons twice daily, to detect and isolate suspected cases. The surgeons thought the spread of the disease could be stopped if everything in camp was boiled.
The last day of the year was as mild and pleasant as a summer day in the North. Early in the morning, active preparations began for boiling. Everything that could hold and boil water, was called into service. Caldrons, pots, pans, and kettles, were soon steaming all over the camp. Visitors were excluded for the day, and by noon time the whole regiment had committed its belongings to boiling water.
A naked drum corps furnished music for a couple of hours, and the men danced about like a mob of naked savages. At a distance, passing natives gathered on the highway and wondered what it was all about. The colored people were willing to believe that the evil one was at the bottom of it all. After the regiment had boiled itself free from germs, the guard was relieved, and went through the same process.
Everything in the regiment which could stand boiling, was boiled, and everything which could not stand a soaking was otherwise disinfected. Measles were thoroughly stamped out, and at the end of a week when the regiment left for Cuba, but five men remained behind for this reason.
On January 4th a large delegation of citizens visited camp to say good-bye. After evening parade Colonel Lane, in behalf of the City of Americus, addressed the regiment. He spoke in laudatory terms concerning the conduct of the soldiers, and how the presence of Massachusetts troops in Georgia had created new bonds of sympathy between North and South.
Colonel Lane had requisitioned a wagon as a convenient platform from which to address the soldiers. Many citizens had come in carriages, and these carriages were wedged in about the orator, facing the regiment. At the conclusion of Colonel Lane's remarks, Drum Major Thomas, catching the enthusiasm of the moment, caused the drum corps to break into "Dixie" under the very noses of several hundred horses. Horses turned short in their shafts, and stampeded to the rear, the orator's platform slid from under him, and it was some time before the ceremonies of leave taking could be resumed with proper decorum.