The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1861-08-22
Return of the Perrysbnrg volunteers.


Return of the Porrysburg Volunteers.
The reception os the " Fort Mcgs Rifles" on
Wednesday of last week, was an event long to be
remembered by the good people of PcIrysbmg.--
Never have we witnessed greater enthusiasm than
evnced upon that occasion. Long before the
usual train time, our citizens began to wend their
way to the depot, and at o'clock the whole street
in front presented a of human faces--a vast
multitude congregated TO give the brave and gallant
soldiers a welcome, thrice welcome home lmag
ination alone can picture the anxiety Of the fond
hearts of parents, brothers and sisters, as they
waited and cheerlully talked of the happy meeting
they should soon be blessed with.
Three o'clock came and impaticncc began to
take the place of mrth-for the train was behind
time. -Four o'clock rolled around, when
ders expressed as to the of the delay.
Five O'Clock came, and many began to think some
accidon! had happened, while others tried to make
themselves believe that the train had stopped at
Ottawa, on the way up, to allow the regiment to
participate in the funeral ceremonies of Capt. Al
len. little after six, however, and the whistle Of
the distant locomotive was distinctly heard. THE
cars are coming" shouted an old man, which was
caught up by the crowd and re-echoed along the
line with will-smultaneously every eye
fixed in the direction of the train, which quickly
drew up. When the boys aghted there one
grand rush by all present-tathers and mothers,
sisters and brothers, wives and lovers, to clasp the
gallant braves in fond and fervent embrace. Oh,
what sight this What glorious instance
of the gratitude of our people, and the just appre
citation OF the noble services Of patriotic sol
diers While this proceeding was in progress
those who not Immediately engaged were
making the welkin ring with enthusiastic cheering.
By-and-by, however, Capt. Cook got his cUmpa-
ny formed in line, and, preceded by the Maumec
band and followed by the immense throng, they
marched to the Court House, where bountiul
supper was prepared for them. On arriving here,
they welcomed hCmc in short and touching
address, by H. II. Dodge, Esq, substantially as
follows:
Soldiers of the 2lst Regiment in the name of
your old friends, the home friends Of Il same dear
ones who, upon the morning Of your d, parturc,
thronged around to bid you fond adcu, while their
streaming teers and dccp-drawn signs attestgd the
agony OF the parting of those, who, by their attic
tion and sympathy, have seemed To accompany
your footsteps sharing in your sorrows, your joys,
your labors and your suiltrings, and who night
and morn, upon bended knees, have addressed their
fsryent suppiicatonS to the God of battles for your
welfare, in the name Of YOUR fathers, mother sis
ters and brothers, and with heart full of thankful
ness to Almighty God for your safe return, ! bid
you welcome homc-wel ONE to the town your pa
triotism has honored-welc me to the firesides you
went forth TO prOIect-wecOme to the home circle
that has been lonely in your absencr and oh! wei
come a thousand times welcome, in view of that
sacred cause to which you have sworn allegiance,
an allegiance which YOU were prepared to seal with
your hearts best blood.
The speaker then referred briefly to the circum-
stances attending their departure, the promptncss
with which they responded TO their country's call
in the hour of her peril the devotion which prompt
ed them to hurry firth from their happy homes
to encounter the dangers and hardshps of war, the
heroic patriotism also manifested by their fathers
mothers, wives and sisters in bidding them go for
ward in Gods name and battle in the holy cause of
humanity and constitutional government, although
they might find bloody grave upon the field Of
conflict and b. cut down in the bloom and flower
of their youth amid the battles thunder and the
battles carnage still the cause was worthy of the
sacrifice.
Referring to the fact that their ranks remained un-
thinned and that they had not encountered the foe
in the field, the speaker continued: "But bops, you
have done yonr duty, your whole duty, Ready,
eager painting, as You were to do and dare in your
country's cause you knew that the first requirement
of patriotism demanded obedience to your officers
They led you indeed through scenes of peril; peril
upon the lonely midnight watch with deadly foes
around you; peril all the more appalling because
divest OF the excitement and dazzle of military go-
ry which cheer and support the soldier upon the
field Of carnage, and this you joyfully braved.-
Yours would also have been the glory of the battle
field, had the rebellous bands who were as much
riors in valor presumed to abide the issue of CON
hict. But the traitor followers of Wise proved
themselves as nmble with their feet in fight as they
had been audac0ua with their tongues in Idle boast
ing, and whatever laurels were within pour reach
you have taken care to gain. In point of discipline,
the great test of soldiership, you we are as
sured the banner company of your regiment"
AS proof OF the christian spirit and law abiding
conduct of soldiers, Mr.. Dodge referred to the
fact that when Col. Norton and Lieut.. Brown had
fallen into the hands of the rebels a petition for
their release was signed 10y many secessioniss who
had been prisoners in the regiment, Here was Il
victory more glorious than could be won with arms;
victory over the hearts and preiudces of these
misguided men. Founded as this war is upon giant
talsehood and the most unparalleled misrepresenta-
ton to the southern people of northern aims and
purposes, this tribute 10 the moral worth of our sol
diers, heraded to the world upon the testimony of
our foes, Is of great significance. To the reasona-
Bile and rejecting people of the south it will be
worth the lives of thousand men. That those who
few short days before were ready TO wing a bullet
TO our hearts or plunge bayonet i'm our bosoms
should became suppliants in our behalf shows most
plainly that II the truth could penetrate TO the hearts
and minds of our delLded countrymen, this most
fendish attempt to overthrow the most benefcept
government on earth would cease. The address
closed with the following well merited tribute t.
Capt Cook and Col. Norton:
Ilari as II was, soldiers, to bid you adeu ON the
morning OF your departure the sadness Of that hour
was aleviated by our confidence in your officers
Nor have they betrayed their trust. Many of thos.
near and dear to You will clasp the hand of vOuI
worthy and excellent Captain, while feelings of at
lection and gratitude towards him for the constant
care ana attention to you in sickness and health, il
sadness and in atfliction, will choke the utterenc,
and dim the eye with tears. The blessings of youl
fathers, mothers, sisters and friends, must be hi,
men reward and one who went forth with You as
your commander in the full glow of health, you'll
and manly yigor, stricken down by a traitors bullet
has writhed for weeks In pain and torture and ever
now his Pallid cheek and ialtering step all too plain
ly attest his suferngs in his eountry's cause. Blu
the patriots blood falls not to the earth in vain-