Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-01-21
The 18th Indiana.

This veteran and battle-scarred regl-
ment which has re-enlisted, met with /
glorious reception at Indianapolis on
Monday. Its first commander, General
Meredith, though suffering from wounds,
was present.. and Lieutenant Colonel
Dudley, who last led them to battle, limp
ing into the hall where the reception took
place. Both these officers were greeted
by the regiment with afectionate enthu-
siasm.
Governor Morton, in his reception
speech, recounted briefly the history of
the regiment from its organization to
the present time He said:
1t left the State in August, 1861, and
was the first Indiana regiment to reach
Washington. 1t had distinguished itself
for gallantry in the beginning or its histo
~. L had borne distinguished part in
many battles, Townsville, second Bull
Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fred
ericksburg, Charlottesville and Gettys-
burg, in each of which it had lost heavily,
and in the last named went into the fight
with 29S men and officers, and came out
with only nine officers and SO men.
After all these battles, he said it had
fought another, and distinguished itself
above all others-had re-enlisted for the
war. This, he said, was a fact which
must challenge the admiration of the
whole country. 1t had said to the nation
we win not lay down our arms until the
rebellion is crushed and the country re
!. stored. On behalf of the people of thu
: State that was proud to claim them, b.
v would thank them for this noble act. H
said when they got home each would re
ceive consideration of which he ha'
: never dreamed He asked them, as b
had asked others. to use their infuenc
Il to fill up their ranks once more.
After paying a merited complimer
}. to the gallant officers of the regimen
the Governor closed by introducing Ger
Meredith;
L Gen. NJ. acknowledged the compl
q ments of the Governor and the WELDON
extended to the regiment in feelin
terms. He spoke of the time whsn th
! regiment, 1850 strong, had stood in lii
3 on Washington street to be inspecte
and now only little band return
= their homes, They should tell Il
friends of the brave spirits who hs
. passed to the other land, that they we
tn honored in their relation to such. {
- said the regiment had sworn never
80 give up the struggle antil the Stars al
De Stripes should wave over all the traitor
e. land; they would keep that oath; near
tn every man had re-enlisted He reft
red to the course of the Governor
worthy of all praise; said the soldie
wanted him again as Executive of t
in State, and Father Abraham as Exec
ire tive of the Nation. With them the cou
ON try was safe. The little fire in the re
:. last year had been put out by their {
ergetic course and the election IN OH
ION Gen. NJ. then noticed several points
ted the history of the regiment AT Sou
Mountain they had Tough: from sun
till midnight without resting; had cllal
e ed upon superior numbers of rebels w
Vi were posted by stone fences and clit
)ut and scattered them as though they
old not existed. At Antietam they had Il
Ila. So per cent of their number, and
:, Gettysburg 6S per cent la loss unps
Gu alleled in history, and unequaled by a
re- other regiment in this war, save, pro-
ind bly,, the I'd Wisconsin. He said the
the tory of the 18th has been written
- blood; 800 of her gallant men have be
'eu killed or wounded Indiana has reas
rk- to be proud of her sons. They ha
to wiped out the stain cast upon her
bev JET. Davis; they will yet 60 to Ri
~ mond and put halter about his ne
TN The historians of this war have not
'rth done justice to the Army of the Pc
/. mac On more than one occasion it
saved the nation. The 18th had sha
=. in this honor, and now the welcome Il
Aul' receive at the hands of friends at no
compensates for all they have endu
We Speeches were also made by Colo
Wilder, General Hovey and Gen. mol
lim- Col Wilder said: "Lying scoundrels
INK home had called the soldiers Line
Iual hirelings,' compelled TO fight an ah
ter ton war. The present course of
ing veteran regiments kills that argum
heir forever. He had seen regiment a
lem regiment hold up their hands and sw
5 of never to cease fighting until the last
IN ell was conquered"
our After the speaking was over the r
be- ment marched to its quarters, the b
utfi- playing a stirring patriotic air.