The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-01-30
THE RECEPTION FESTIVITIES.

enlisted, returned TO Iowa, over sever
hundred strong. on furlough to visit theil
4 friends and recruit their numbers. They
arrived on the opposite side of the river
Ia little after midnight, and remained in
the cars till daylight on account of the
difficulty and danger of crossing the ice
in the dark. They crossed on the ice
early in the morning without an accident,
and marched into our city as hardy and
gallant band of patriot soldiers as ever
trod the streets Of Keokuk.
At two o'clock in the afternoon they
marched from their quarters and took
position on Main street in front of the
platform erected for the speakers of the
occasion. They were welcomed to the
State, TO our city and to the hospitalities
OF Keokuk in very able and eloquent
address by Rev. Mr. Thacher. The
speaker manifested a familiar aequaint-
ance with the brilliant career and the he
role achievements of the regiment, and
an earnest sympathy in their tolls and
privations as well as patriotic apprecia-
tion of the important service they had
rendered the cause Of the Union. The
Speaker gave voice to the grateful and
admiring sentiments of the loyal people
of keokuk in his high eulogism OF the
officers and men of the Third Iowa Cav
airy, as well as in bis more general views
of the course Of the war and The conduct
of those supporting and opposing the
policy Of the Government in its prosecu-
tion.
Col. bussey, who went out from our
city near two years and a half ago, and
has led il ever since in its loilsome marches
and porilous battles with the enemy, res
ponded on the part OF the regiment. lie
made graceful acknowledgment of the
courtesy and kindness Of the citizens of
keokuk and the mplimentary remarks
of the gentlemen selected to tender well
come to the regiment. He alluded to the
early friendship contracted between the
regiment and the citizens of keokuk,
spoke IN feeling terms OF the memory of
these VINO had gone ou; full of life and
nops rom cur city with the regiment aud
hId laid down their lives in the service of
ihe e'1n.ff, IL boss ~.Iing testimony
q th 'o,. cliaracseTo u tue regiment, its
perfect di,ciphne, is ipstrutic devotion,
its admirable endurance, and its heroic
deeds in many desperate skirmish aud
Aotly contested battle. lie appealed to
the men OF heo1uk to come forward and
fl up the declmated ranks of his reei-
ment, and spoke in earnest commendation
of ur loyal ladies, to hom his regiment
was under many obligations, and of whom
officers and men cherished the most CRATE
ful recollections, and to whom they we're
to be placed under renewed obligations
for the additional manifestation of their
kindness and hospitality in preparation
for the entertainment of the regiment in
the evening.
Upon the conclusion Of Col. Bussey' 3
address, Gen. Ben. M. Prentiss, Of Hi
nois, was loudly called, and his appear
apce on the stand was greeted with enthu-
siastio cheers by the men of the Third
Cavalry, who had been ordered into
service by him and had served under
his command. Prentiss magnetised the
'boys," and the entire crowd indeed, in a
few moments, and elected frequen, bursts
of applause. He entertained the audience
nearly an hour with eulogies of the Iowa
troops, humorous descriptions and illus
trations of scenes and occurrences in the
war. affecting incidents coming under his
observation during his long Imprisonment
by the rebels, scathing invectives against
the Copperheads, eloquent defence Of the
policy of the Government on the subjec,
of emancipating and arming the slaves,
and earnest appeals 10 rally to the sup,
port of the Government and the defence
of the country by filling up the ranks o.
our successful but decimat.d army.
AT o'clock, p. NJ, the officers and
men of the Third Cavalry having beer
divided into two bstallons, sat down il
the dining halls Of the Estes House anc
the Leighton House to tables spread ant
bountifuily furnished by the loyal ladies
of Keokuk for the occasion. And not
wlthstanding our long experience ane
frequent observation Of the energy, lib
erality, taste and skill Of our ladies in get
ting up feasts and festivals, we were as
touished and delighted with the complel,
and magnificent success which the,
achieved on the present occasion. -
II hether ID arose from the emulatio,
winch naturally sprung up betweeu til,