Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-06-30

work OF the hour in the preservation of on
national integrity, against the traitor hand
that have conspired against it
We now welcome you to this respite from
the tolls and dangers of the soldiers life. II
the peaceful villages and quiet homes of you
own State, there are longing hearts t
greet your quick return. You will find il
every town and hamlet the warm grasp anC
hearty welcome of grateful people, which
cannot portray. trust that you will not bs
long delayed in receiving your expected fur
Tough {; that those days allotted YOU NAV be
those of unalloyed pleasure; and that at the
expiration of them you may return fresheneC
and strengthened for the contest.
And with you We welcome the pet of youl
regiment, the Eagle, our National emblem
whose fame has been widely spread and be-
come historic through pen and song. have
often wondered what sensations must have
filled the mind of rebels as you have borne
him proudly with your regiment, and while
they remember the present attitude they
maintain toward our Government, one would
think that the very sight would cause them to
hide their heads in shame. Bear him ever
alott with your advancing shout, and let the
rebels remember-yes tecch them that
N.o CT sudii tne rage OF tie conflict be DER,
ana ne er shall the warm blood of life cease to
And still mid the smoke Of the battle shall soar
Our Eagte-til scattered and fed be the foe"
Thanking you for your heroic deeds, again
on behalf Of the State, I extend a cordial
welcome to you.
Acting Mayor j. Il. CARPENTER, Hon. CHAus.
cEY ABBOTT, and Gen. LUc1Us FA1RcH1Lp
followed with appropriate and eloquent words
of welcome on behalf of the citizens of Mad
ison
at the conclusion of Gen. FA1RcH1LD's re.
marks, Col. JEFFERSON briefly responded, re.
turning the thanks of the regiment for the
cordial welcome that had been extended to
them, and proposed "three cheers and big
Eagle" for the Union, the President of the
United States, and the State officers of Wis
consin. Three cheers were given with great
enthusiasm by the boys of the Eighth, the
Eagle, evidently understanding his part, and
at the third hurrah stretching himself to his full
height and expanding his wings to the utmost,
Col. JEFFERSON then reminded the regi-
ment of an offer he had made of prize to
tn. company which should furnish the largest
number Of re-enlisted veterans in proportion
to the number of men. He then proceeded
to distribute to the members of Company
an elegant silver medal, heretofore described
in our paper, inscribed with the names of the
battles in which the regiment has participa-
ted.
The veterans of the Eighth, notwithstand-
ing the hard service they have recently seen
under Gen. a. j. SMITH, coming directly from
the field with the smoke and stain of battle
clingng yet to their garments, look generally
in magnificent condition physically, bronzed
with exposure to the Southern sun, but in ro-
bust health and excellent spirits. Col. JET
FERsoN makes an excellent officer, and is very
popular with his men, and the regiment has
no superior among the many splendid ones
which have gone forth from Wisconsin. Ad-
jutant SPRAGUE, who went from this city, is
one of the best officers in the service and
returns in good health. Capt GREEN and
Capt. You've are among the veteran officers
who left the State with the regiment, and
have always acquitted themselves ably and
creditably.