Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-02-04
Honor to the Braves.

ne recepuon gwen 10 the veterans OF
the 3lst Indiana Regiment at Indanap-
oils on Saturday was another grand af-
fair.
The reception was given in the Metro
politan Hall, which was crowded to over
flowing. The use of the Hall was gen
erously rendered for the purpose by Mr..
Birtsch, the proprietor.
Governor Morton made the reception
speech, in which he congratulated the
country on having such brave and noble
defenders.
He said the soldiers were now the hope
of the country. The time for compro-
mise has long passed. If we should
compromise now, we would concede the
independence of the Nation. There is
now no salvation but in conqueriny the
rebellion. 1t must be subdued There
is no middle way. The country has call
ed for men to strengthen the armies for
final blow. 1t called upon you; you
answered as patriots and as soldiers.
You have taken up arms in the defence
of your country's rights, and have sworn
never to lay them down until those
rights are acknowledged by all You
have the gratitude of nation for this
noble act,
He then reviewed the condition Of the
country, the progress we have made, not
only in the suppression of the rebellion,
but in securing and maintaining the re-
spect of and justice from foreign ma
tions, and expressed the hope that many
of the 3lst boys would get married with
in the next 30 days and leave their wives
a contingent right to pension, which
sentiment was received with long and
loud cheers by the boys of the glorious
3lst.
OF the regiment then present the Gov
ernor said we could not say too much in
their praise, nor do too much for them
We cannot help the tear of sorrow that
so many are absent and deal. We must
not forget those who have fallen by dis
ease. To die in battle, when there is an
army around you and the shouts of vie
torious columns are heard above the
roar of cannon, is glorious; but to die
alone, where there are none to cheer the
last hour-pone to speak word of home,
or smooth the clammy brow-ohl this is
indeed sad.
The history of the regiment was then
rehearsed at length The regiment was
organized and mustered into service in
September, 1861; went to Henderson,
Kentucky; thence to Calhoun, where ii
suffered greatly and lost many from
measles, mumps and fevers; was al
; Fort Donelson, and took an active part
in the battle there; was in the battle oil
, Shiloh, where it lost largely; skirmished
a month at Corinth; marched for many
weeks, through Mississippi to Alabama
, back to louisville, and back again tt
Perryville, and thence to Nashville, en-
counteripg many difficulties and skir
mishing often; was in the battle of La.
vergne, also of Stone River, where il
= fought two days, and after many moro
! days of marching arrived at Chicka
: mauga, where it participated in the grea
: battle there, losing heavily in killed
wounded and missing 1t was among
;. ;. the last in falling back to Chattanooga
The history of the regiment require!
= sulogy In conclusion, the Governor
: extended the heartfelt thanks of tht
State to the officers and privates Of III,
regiment for their noble services, ant
. also of the Nation for their last great &C
= of patriotism in voluntarily renewing
their service. 1t is reproach lnerite(
: to those who have staid at home, Th
= regiment has its reward in the love Q
"a the people of Indiana
.r Mayor 0avens then extended to ther
N the welcome of the city in thrillin
N speech, and thanked them in behalf {
"A The city, and in the name of civil libert,
Sc for what they had done for its progress
a he wished to talk to them of peac,
a for he knew they were all peace mel
ce He could see it in their firm brows, an
ci- IN the stern glance of their eyes. Il
- read it in their re-enlisting. He saiC
is You have held peace conventions at Sh
Dr. lob, Nickshurg, Chieamauga, and
or other points, at many of which Ge
is Grant has presided He as in favor
1v- another grand peace convention at A
mt lants, and also at Richmond. He pa
ov- his compliments in severe terms to Il
ice peace propositions of sympathizers, al