The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-03-23
Reception OF Gen. Dow.

Gen. Neal Dow, after an absence of twenty
seven months, six of which have been spent
In the Libby prison at Richmond, where he
was carried by the rebels after his capture
near New Orleans, returned to this city yes
terday.
Arrangements had been hastily made to
give the gallant General reception. A sub
committee from the Committee of Arrange
ments on the part of the City Council, con-
ssting of Aldermen Beal and Messer, and
Councimen Hamlen, Bailey and Ladd, pro-
ceeded to North Berwick yesterday morning,
and on the arrival of the train from Boston
at that point, welcomed Gen. Dow, and in
formed him of the reception proposed to be
given him on his arrival home.
The moment the cars struck the Cape Eliz-
abeth bridge, a salute was fred and the bells
of the city uttered joyful peals, and continued
TO ring for half an hour. An immense con-.
course of people had gathered at the depot to
welcome the General and the air resounded
with their hurrahs as the train approached.
At the depot the General was welcomed
home by the Mayor, in behalf of the City
placed in a barrouehe amid cheers from the
men and waving of handkerchief by the ladies'
In the barouche with him were the Mayor and
Captains Wiswell and Pencil, now doing du-
ty at Camp Berry, who had been detailed for
the purpose of escorting the General, by 1t
Col. Merrill.
An escort, composed Of five companies OF
the Camp Berry garrison, under command of
1t. COL Charles B. Merrill, had formed in
front of the depot. Gen. Dow passed these
under military salute. The line OF march
was then taken up, the barouches contain
ing Gen. Dow and the subcommittee of Ar
engagements being placed in the centre of the
escort. The police, under command of Mar
shall Head, led Of. followed by the Camp Ber-
ry Band, and the escort. In the rear of the
escort came carriages containing the City
Council and citizens. In this manner the pro-
cession passed through the streets designated
until Gen. Dow reached his residence.
vast crowd accompanied the procession all
along the route.
The public buildings and hundreds of
dwelling houses and shops were decorated
with flags and other insignia of welcome.
The shipping in the harbor displayed flags.
The bark S. w. Holbrook, lying at Hobson's
wharf, was gaily decorated from deck to truck,
with flags and streamers. On High street
line of flags was stretched across the street
from the house of Capt Nathl Blanchard to
that of Joseph W. Dyer, Esq. On the engine
house of steamer Machigonne was this inscrip.
welcome TO our old Chief" alluding to
the period wneH e-a-Dow was Chief Enoi-
neer of our Fire Department. r.-Aa
handerchicfs were waved from house after
house, and at various points cheers were given
the General as he passed.
The martial appearance of the troops from
Camp Berry, elected the commentator of
every one, and the music by the Camp Berry
Band was excellent
Although the whole affair was hastily got
up, il reflects credit upon the Committee who
had It In charge
Gen. Dow received the congratulations of
his numerous friends warmly. He appears in
excellent health and spirits, although much
thinner in flesh than when he left this city for
New Orleans.
The reception yesterday was not a formal,
but spontaneous one. There were no
speeches, but every thing proceeded from the
heart A formal reception will be given the
General at the new City Hall tomorrow
Thursday evening, when his Honor, the
Mayor, will preside and the Address of We'll
come will be given by Rev. Horatio Stebbins.
The proscenium gallery will be reserved for
ladies.