Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1863-07-24

RETURN OF THE HowARD GUARD.-Ihe re-
turn of Company c. OF the 18th Regiment,
was made the occasion of patriotic demons
tration last week. On their arrival by the
Rutland and Burlington Il R., they were
met by Il large ooncourse Of our citizens IN
cluding the several Fire Companies OF Bur
lingtOn in uniform. \ salute of fifteen guns
was fired from the Battery, and the Compa-
nv was escorted to the Park. where j. )
Adams. Esq., addressed them briefly, refer
ring to the circumstances under which they
again met their friends, relatives and ac-
quaintances Thanking them for the service
they had rendered to the state, and especial
" thanking them in behalf Of their fellow
townsmen. he welcomed them TO the homes
which had felt, and but for tie holy cause in
which they had been engaged, would have
very much regretted, their absence.
lie congratulated the company upon the
safe return Of 50 many Of their number, to
meet again those who had anxiously looked
forward to the hour which had now arrived,
and which relieved the care and solicitude OF
MANY Of those who had assembled to greet
them. In conclusion Mr.. Adams called for
three cheers for the returned - boys which
were heartily given by the audience. Cheers
were also given for Co A, Of the 18th regi-
lnent. for the army Of the Potomac Tor the
Flag. and for Gems. Meade and Stannard.
Captain Page in behalf Of Company {,
thanked those present for the welcome they
had given. Heremarked that his company
although they had enlisted for nine months
only. had served ten months and fourteen
days. They had served like men and soldiers
and their townsmen had reason to be proud
of every one of them. They had faithfully
discharged every duty while in the service,
and endured without a murmur the priya-
tions of soldiers life, and the strict severi-
ty Of military discipline.
The Guards '' by order Of Captain Page
then marched to Union Hall and were there
disbanded.
On arriving in the Hall the company WAS
addressed by Capt. Page, who recalled some
of the experiences of soldiers life which they
had shared together, and could never forget,
and expressed his thanks for the trea'ement
he had received at their hands and his per
sonal esteem for each member Of the com
pany. Lieut.. Wing followed him IN short
sreech of thanks to the boys for the prompt
obedience of orders and the kindness and
respect he had received from them. Then
with three cheers apiece for each officer of
the company, three for the non-commissioned
officers. three for Lieut.. VIM. Loomis, who
though attached to another company, has
never been wholly relinquished by Co. C.,
three for Drum Major Downer, and three for
Mr.. E. C. Loomis, whose early greeting as a
representative of the citizens of Burlington,
even before the regiment reached Brattleboro,
and active exertions in arranging the rousing
reception Just given them were fully appre-
ciated by the officers and men, the company
dispersed to their several places of abode.
We venture to say than no one OF them re-
crets his ten months service in the army oil
the Union, or will ever cease TO remember
with pride and pleasure his connection with
Co. {. of the Twelfth Vermont.