The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-01-20
RECEPTION OF ssvETERAN VOL.
lNEELR<.


blythe citizens of our city, which took plac,
according to the programme published il
Tuesday mornings paper. The Seventh
regiment arrived at five o'clock in the
morning, and after marching to the Estes
House, were disbanded until 2 O'Clock p
VI. At . o clock the cannon commenced
firing, when the regiment (preceded BY
the provost guard and bands of music
marched down Main street to Third
where they were drawn up in line to listen
TO the following highly appropriate and
patriotic welcome address" delivered by
the Hon. r. P. Lowe:
Soldiers and Officers ofhe Second and
,SerenA bsta:
In the name of the good people of this
city, and l may add, also, in the name
OF the good and patriotic people of the
State, bid you, from their heart of
hearts, warm,-a cordial, and sincere
welcome back to your State, your friends
and your homes assuring you that you
will receive from ihcm the greetings and
praises Of honest and grateful hearts.
Although you have been long absent
on dangerous and bloody mission to
put down armed treason against the con-
stituied authorities of your country,
beg you TO understand that your friends
AT home have not been ignorant of the
many battles in which you have been en-
gagged against the enemies Of your country
-of tie victories you have won-of the
hardships you have endured, and Of the
noble and heroic deeds which you have
performed. NOr are they insensible to
the sacrifices " hich each of you person
ally have made, the dangers and pri-
ystions which each OF you personally
have been subjected to in this great
war drama for the life of the nation, and
on account Of which you are to-day, with
your companions in arms. enshrlned in
the hearts aud the affections Of your
countrymen. Having united with fifty
thousand other brave soldiers from this
Safe to beard the demon of treason in its
den, and to make bare Your arms and
your bosoms IN defense Of the liberties of
your country, We cannot but regard YOU
the pride. the boast, the exuitation and
the glory OF the State And when his
tory comes to makeuplts record Of events,
great anil small OF this war, it will be
compelled, in obedience to the stern
mandates Of truth, 10 place the Iowa sol
diers. for military prowess. for srne gall
antry, for efficient service, fer brilliant
and heroic achievements, in the front
ranks of the great Union army Of the
country. At least such is our belief and
such our convictions, from the informa-
ton that has come back 10 us from the
theaier of your operations.
And hence you find yourselves sur
rounded tod J ~ this great multitude Of
beating, throbbing aud grateful hearts,
whose pulsations are vibrating in unison
with yenr own-in unis with the great
I loyal heart Of the nation and in unison
with the course Of liberty and the eoun-
Try. And they are here to testify to you
bow deeply and gratefully they appreciate
the valuable services which you have ren.
dered to the flag Of your country. They
would ike to see the brave men, who,
for hear three long years. have been en-
gagged in life and death struggle with
ice not to be despised for his fighting
qualities, to maintain and uphold our
venerated Goyernment, with all its blessed
institutions and privileges. They would
like to strike hands with the gallant men
who have been striking treason in the
face, driving traitors from their strong
holds, and lifting up anew the standard
Of their country over desecrated and
treason-curse territory, or the symbol of
its authority, and the great emblem of the
political Regeneration and enfranchisement
Of our race.
Yes. brave soldiers and officers, we are
here 10 greet you-to thank you-to
! bless yoa-to welcome you, 10 warm
hearts aud generous hospitality, as q
slight testimony of our ad miration for the
distinguished services which we feel that
you have rendered to the whole country.
We have received the gratifying infor-
nation of your re-onlistment, and of your
willingness to offer yourselves new sac
rifce for The cause OF your country
Great and praiseworthy as have been your
past deeds, sacrifices, hardships and dan
gers, this last engagement of your servi-
ees to the country is, and shall be, the
crowning glory of your lives. You have
already had three years experience in the
camp and field; you are justly regarded
by the whole country as veterans in arms;
upon you. and your old coppeers in bat
tie, are the hopes of the nation centered
for the completion of the work which has
been so nobIy begun.
When, therefore, you have completed
the term of your fu,loughs in the society,
friendship aud sympathy of your friends
aud homes, allow me to express the hope
that You will gird yourselves once more
for the sublime work which lies before
you; and after kissing the little ones, and
tlIai dear wi:e-and bidding farewell to
kind and praying parents and affectionate
brothers aud sisters, go forth fer last
coaniet, with your lives in your hands:
with the spirit of martyrs in your bo.
sons; with the voice of liberty on your
tongnes with the earnestness OF patriot