Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1863-07-30
RECEPTION OF RETURNED vOLUN-
TIERS.

At Stowe was had, on Thursday night
of last week, the only public reception Of
the members of the 18th Regiment, lately
returned, which we have heard of in this
county. The matter was talked over the
week previous, and on Sunday public no.
tice was given of a meeting for making
arrangements, and at this meeting a com,
mittee of five gentlemen and ten ladies
were appointed to make preparation and
on Thursday a supper sufficient for four
or five hundred persons was spread in the
basement of the new church. The repast
consisted of every variety of eatables the
season afforded, including a good supply
of raspberries, picked by the little girls
of the village. The big gun was placed
out in the field, near the new school house,
and a plentiful supply of powder provi-
ded to give the boys "a welcoming salute
when they should arrive.
At about seven o'clock people from all
parts of the town were in the village,
though the stage was not expected until
about ten o'clock, and they all waited pa
tiently till the time when the soldiers
were expected, and then learned that the
cars were two hours behind time. and that
it would be midnight before the stage
could arrive. Still everybody determined
to wait and participate in the joy of be-
ing the first to greet those who had done
so much and so we'll in the cause of our
country. So full were the people of de
sire to give the returning heroes as early
a notice as possible of the welcome that
awaited them, that about as much of the
$40 worth of powder provided was burn
ed in firing salutes before as after their ar
rival. d ia.
Forty or fifty at last arrived, the bal
ance going by way of Essex, as they
could thus sooner reach their homes in
Johnson and Cambridge. They were at
once informed by Capt. Landon of the
supper prepared for them, and that the
citizens would Immediately form in pro-
c%ession, and conduct them to the hall !;
and in a very short time a long procession
was formed, the ladies leading, and the
soldiers next, and gentlemen in the rear.
Having tasted since six o'clock in the
morning, the good things set before them
were appreciated, and "hard tack was at
a discount for a short time. After the
soldiers had satisfied their hunger, and
all the citizens who were so disposed, had
eaten, Mr.. wilkins gave them a short adj
dress, in which he spoke of the noble OBJ.
jcct for which they had left their homes
and endured the hardships Of the camp
and perils of the battle field, and of the
staggering blow which they with other
Vermonters had given the rebellion, mas
much as they cawe into action just in
time to make the charge which decided
the battle on which seemed to hang the
the fate of the rebellion, and reminded
them that they would have a prominent
place in history, and a warm place in the
hearts Of all lovers of their country for
ever hereafter. Mr.. wilkins remarks
brought tears to the eyes Of many, and
one poor fellow who had left at home a
family of small children, and came back
to find two of them in the grave, wept
aloud. We regret that we have not his
remarks to publish.
The following was prepared by q lady,
and was to have been read to the soldiers,
but owing to the %lateness Of the hour of
their arrival it was omitted =
GENTLEMEN wv rejoice with exceeding
great joy to welcome you all Monochrome
from the Union army where our sympa-
thics and our prayers have centered since
you left us, and where they will continue
to- center, as long as one brave son Of ver-
mont is left; age nsore just as long as