Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-01-29
receptions Of the veterans.

a Grand Demonstration-Ho the
81 So Soldiers Talk. Il
The grand ovation given to the Path,
18th, and 44th Indiana regiments ON
Tuesdaygat indianapolis, was one of the
grandest demonstrations ever Witnessed
in that city for a long time {.
,o(After the regiments had been serve ed
at the Soldiers Home with an excellent
dinner, prepared by the ladies, they
marched tothe State House, where they
were welcomed home by Gov. Morton,
who paid fitting tribute to their gal
lantry, their patriotism, and their dis
tinguished achievements, and said the
greatest victory they had ever achieved
was re.enlisting for another three years.
He said:
1t would have been no reproach to
them to have refused to re-enlist; they
might have served out their term and
came home with honor, and no man
would dare complain. They would have
been entitled to say to the men at home,
lit Is your turn now, we have earned
our right to rest But they have volun-
tarilyl declared to the country and to the
world, that while the rebellion lasts they
want no rest or peace. The course of
veterans in this matter has astonished
the rulers, and done more to assure the
country than anything that had yet
transpired. 1t has given the country
D encouragement at the right time. All
honor to the men that are thus viii
ling TO sacrifice the comforts of home
for the sake of country. The Governor
was glad to say to them that their term
promised tobe short Everything indi.
2 Gated a speedy closing up of the war.
The rebel government was not prepared
for the new element of strength which
the re-enlistments of veterans has given
rs. They are discouraged. They ex-
peeted to oppose veterans to our new
levies. They find not only new levies
brought againstithem, but veterans also
= We now hold a great part of their
territory, and our lines include nearly
two-thirds of. their population. They
are making their last effort; they are
putting all their male population into
the army, conseripting between the ages
ofsixteen and fifty. Letus take courage,
and soon complete victory will crown
our efforts. - II
The Governor again babe the regi,
ments welcome home He said their
friends had never lost sight of them
while absent-had never forgotten them,
and never would He hoped they would
enjoy to the fullest extent the brief respite
thatswas given them. They would meet
the fearful eye and hear the broken
voice, utthere would be Joy in all hearts.
Accustomed to the excitement and gran
deur of war, they would soon tire of hum
o drum home, and go back cheerfulIy to
their camps in the South, but before they
go he hoped that leach man would use
his influence to obtain recruits, that they
might 90 back with full ranks.
The Governors speech was we'll re
ceived, and followed by earnest cheers
He then introduced Mayor Cayen, who
welcomed them on behalf of the citizen:
of Indianapolis. ax
III Col Wilder was next introduced. 81,
2 said the Seventeenth was accomplished
for all its sufferings by the welcome i
: had received. They could appreciate
2 such reception as this; it made thei
hearts swell with a more determined pur
pose to subdue the rebellion which hat
y made these partings necessary. The,
went out with their banners beautifu
and strong, they returned with them tori
Sand stained, but with nothing but honor
able battle. They had been in thirty
two battles; they never ran they neve
met the enemy but they drove him the,
b never turned their backs to the enemV
and never viii. Their dead lie hurie,
in seven different States, and they bay
sworn never to lay down their arms Will
q man is able to carry rife to kill
rebel sconndrel. He. said they did mo
care for bountiess that they enlisted !,
the first place without bounty, and no,
they re-enlisted without expecting i
The impe'ling motive was love for tn
dear old flag, and an earnest desire t
preserve the Union. His men were gla
to hear of the impending draft, ant
were in hopes that it would fall especia
ly hard on Butternuts. Many of th
18th were from Butternut countie
:, They knew Of many counties that wer
s giving large bonnties, and several ant
.gotWar counties which offered no bountiei
but were trembling fearfnlly in view
the draft Learning that Marion count