Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-08-05
MONDAY, AUGUST s. 1891.
IIaHT INFANTRY FESTIVAL.

rrno oa,cers and members of the Worcester
Intontrv inst returned from the war, were me
roo;nients on Saturday last, of splendid col
lation. furnished by their many friends IN
honor of their patriotic and arduous services
in the cause of their country. Four long Ut
hles were set in Horticultural Hall, covered
with prolusion of good thingsfarrangeu oy
tho lady friends of the soldiers, under the Sill
ner;ntendence OF Col. 2. w. TAFT, chairman
If the committee OF arrangements Tor me oc
casion. The hall was well filled, every sea-
being occupied by the members oil the eonp"'
nv and their friends including the lhlahuy
Home Guards, under whose auspices the re-
ccpiion was conducted.
Capt. d. Waldo Lincoln, commander oil me
Old Infantry Guards, presided at the tables
and welcomed the returning soldiers home, IN
appropriate remarks, as follows
CAPT. LrNcoLN's WELCOME.
Cant. Pratt, and officers and soldiers q me
Worcester Liqht Infantry You have already
witnessed and shared in the magnihcent recep-
tion which this whole community nnlteu IN
rendering TO your gallant regiment. You nave
heard the ords Of welcome which his honor'
the mayor, in behalf of your fellow ciiizehs'
has addressed 10 you. We, now, your lathers'
brothers, kindred, old associates, and comrades
welcome Won home When, three months
ago. we escortei you TO the cars and babe you
farewell. the most sanguine among us scarcely
dared to Look forward TO this joyful occasion,
That every member OF your noble band shouiu
have been spared through all the perlls, ex'
posures, and sufferings OF these eVehtiui tllIee
months, TO return in safety TO US, "iiuou.
single casualty to record, without the loss oil a
life. or an accident TO li:Iib, and what is lar
better, and worth more than lie anu h'iioi
with your honor bright and untarnisheu' gam
ing new laurels with every days service, Is
sufficient to fill the measure OF our content
and of vour glory. With grateful hearts we
thank God for these mercies to you and us.
We cannot. at this time, i'll our JOY for your
return, forget the manner OF your departure
With but ten hours notice, seven OF which
were passed in the darkness OF night, you
started on your campaign with one third more
men in your ranks than the law allowed lor
your peace establishment. Gathering strehgth
and numbers with almost every mile OF your
progress. YOU reached Washington, The strong.
est comnanv among the three months men OF
Massachusetts Had you taltered, had you
hesitated or delayed as so many did, ana were
excused Tor doing, as we should never nave
excused and forgiven you, instead OF forming
part of that glorious sixth regiment'-that liil
mortal vanguard OF our army which reached
and held the capital until deliverance came
thus saving the government and the country
it might have been your lot to have passed the Inc
term of your en- istment in the equally useiu
and necessary, but in the dull, monotonous
safe, and comparatively inglorious service o
the camp or garrison. Truly, sir; IN you
case fortune has favored the brave. Who, now
among you, would exchange the glorious rec
objections of that passage through those oloo
stained streets Of those night bivouacks at VI
Relay, and on Federal Hill, amid cold an
fasting, and drenching storm, OF those rags
even, so jeered at by the ragamufiins OF BAIT
more, for all the pomp and pride, and clrcun
stance, of any other, or all oher regiments
Like Gen. Taylor's army in the Mexican wai
you have had the hard time, and we reIolc
at it. We thank you for all you have done
and borne and suffered in the cause OF gu
country, for the honor of our country, for N
honor Of our city, and of this, our good OIL
corps. We welcome you with glad hearts, Il
all the rewards which so justly belong 10 you
for such services and such sacrifices.