The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-08-14

s.. Johnsbury House Aug. 20, and remain
tree days.
Reception OF Returned Soldiers.
v hen the officers and soldiers Of the 10Th
.r.iment residing in Caledonia and Essex
..un,ies returned they were welcomed by the
..zeu> of this and adjoining towns in q
manner which showed that their services in
behalf Of the country were appreciated
During TIE first Of last week the patriotic
" men of this place were busy preparing the
good things for the occasion and the men
contributed literally TO raise fund with
which to procure meat and other Substartlais.
Every dwelling was made a blke-house, SO
10 speak. for the time being, and the women
l.1ers. On Wednesday. telegram was
received. stating that the soldiers would az
rive the next day in an extra train. Thurs
day forenoon all the preparations for the re-
reption were completed. The tables were
sci in Count House Squars, and beautifully
spread with provision. The trees were hung
with flags and banners, and the entrance
porch to the Court Room Hall was heau,i-
fully decorated, under the direction Of Mr..
j. I. Casino.
the soldiers arrived at the depot. at three
clock. where they were met by Torrent En-
.ine Co., No. !, L. A. Walker, foreman, and
.arge number of citizens, who escorted
'-em from the depot to the place where the
. o.i'ion was served
George \. Merrill, Esq, chairman of the
Committee OF Arrangementca called the assem-
bly, TO order and troduced Hon. Chas. S.
Dana, who welcomed the soldiers in a patri
o'ic and soul-s,irring address, Of which for
+ ark Of space we can give but a synopsis:
I Mr. Dana said Soldiers, w come to well
/ cone YOU from the war. Not as soldiers
o.: companies, regiments, brigados or army
| corps. Not as soldiers Of the grand army
with which in its varied fortunes you have
mixed yourselves with the destiny of your
aa'on. But, more than all, above all, as
>oiiiers Of Vermont do we welcome and
! .oaor You. We offer you our Eosptalites
I'D invite you to the ministration Of fair
lands which have ever been active in re-
wing the necessities of the soldier. and
contributing to his comfort and happiness.
On TIL, day of national thanksgiving and
PRAYER TO God for the victories which have
crovned our arms, with hearts cheered by
the radiant morn which has dawnea upon &
.'ng and dreary night of suspense and doub'
with eyes gladdened at beholding the bright
omcn> which now mark national pathway tt
= nal victory-most sincerely, most heartily
% We welcome YOU
Gratitude to God-loyalty to the govern
ment and devotion to the cause in defence
o.. which YOU took up arms-tke cherished
memory of the gallant dead whose lives hav
.r.u given in this fearful struggle. Gu
oy. and esteem for the sef-sacriticing, bat
,,-sca,hed veterans now in the field. sym
ua'hy Tor the brave men who nave encoun
red privationS. sickness, wounds and tn
.cIlrdS Of death, to save their country from
,truction. Every consideration Of patri
o',,m and religion moves Us to this !riendl,
re ting We esteem yoI as meH o,voluc
'lri!y surrendering the liberty and treedot
3. civil lite to the Gespo;ism Of military at
'.Jr,tv, FASTENED N the hour OF it, lmm
Ten, peril TO uphold our government al
defend is flag. We honor yen as soldier
Who have faithfully and honorab,y discharge
'cur duties Cheer!uIly you left the comto
and security of home, to suffer the privatioI
and hardships Of the camp, TO endure II
,atigue and exhaustion of the march, and
need be, to encounter the dangers ard Ia
ards Of battle. Accept our tribute Of n
pect and esteem. We are glad, too, that :
many have returned in safety. We do n
s5gret that you have not come back to |
Il
J full 70 a kind providence that has watcht
over and protected YOU, and when We beho
The vacant place in your ranks, our hear
are touched with sympathy at the remer
brance of the absent ones. They have be,
mustered nto a higher, nober service-th
Of the King of kings and Lord of lord:
To each, to all, officers and men, we give
hearty greeting, and welcome you to t
peace and quiet of civil life;
&c To The friends who smile TO NEE; yon;
To the homes which wait 10 greet YOU:
To the arms which long press YOU;
To the hearts which love and bless you
10 your fathers, children, sisters;
To your sweethearts, wives and mothers
Welcome ="
At the conclusion of Judge Dana's adore
an earnest invocation, that the choicest bl
sings of heaven might rest upon the asse
bIed multitude and that peace and prospect