St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1864-02-18
"ELC0ME 70 THE FIRST REGIMENT
IN WASHINGTON.
TRIBUTE BY STRANGERS.
ELOQUENT SPEECHES OF HONS. WIN
DOM AND DONNELLY.

vi tue HIST page Will DC lounu 4 con-
else report Of the dinner given to the
First Regiment in Washington. The
Washington Chronicle contaius very
full account of the remarks made by
different distinguished gentlemen, let
tiers from members Of Cabinet, and 9TH
er interesting incidents Of the banquet.
We clip the following from the Chron-
icle:
The LIST regiment of National volunteers
from the State of Minnesota now returns
home for the purpose of recruiting its
ranks by enlistment, being ROW within
three months Of the expiration of their
time Of original service. Its members have
been in the war since the beginning, and
have taken part in twenty:-one battles. AS
follows: Gettysburg, Bdtl Run, Balls
Bluff, Yorktown, West Point, Fair Oaks,
Peach Orchard Station, Savage Station,
White Oak Swamp, Nelson's Farm, Nal
vern Hill. South Mountain, An'ictam,
Sharpsburg, Charlcstown. Ashby's Gap,
Fredericksburg No. ], Fredericksburg No.
:, llaymarkc1,, Bristow Station, and Flint
Hill. There are few regiments in the SER
vice that can show as bright n record. and
the history of its triumphs is a history Of
valor, and fidelity, and discipline. lis
thinHed ranks attest its devotion. But
three hundred and nine are left TO answer
to the roll call. When the regiment was
organized it. =, ,mhered ,OiO men. In time
it received 200 recruits, and all are gone,
dead, 'woundcd. or missing; The 800 who
sat arOun the tables j.. the National Hotel
on Saturday evening alone remain. AS
Mr.. Senator Chandler in his speech justly
said, this Minnesota First was the second
regiment from the Northwest that entered
Washington for its protection after the fir
ing OH Baltimore. 1t was among the first
to enter the service after the fall Of Fort
Sumpter, and was mustered in April goth,
1861. Since that time This regiment has
followed the fortunes of the Army of the
Potomac. 1t was in the defeat of Bull
Run and the victory of Gettysburg; but
whether in defeat or victory was always
AMONG the bravest Of the brave The hi h
| reptile Of this regiment for yalor' and dis
been paid to its comthanding officers. Col
onel German is how brigadier general !;
Colonel Dana'is now 81 m 10, general, COM
handing corps, and'in' charge of the Tex
as expedition Colonel Sulfy is now br,ga-
countries; Lieutenant Colonel Miller was
subsequently brigaded, and is now Gov
ernor of Minnesota; Colonel Morgan is
now in the invalid corps. Colonel Colville
is now the commanding officer Of the 'regi-
ment. He was wounded at Gettysburg,
and is now unable TO move. He had to be
carried into the dining room On Saturday
by a few Of his veteran comrades. Lieu
tenant Colonel Adams is now acting as Col
onel, and Mark ". Downie is major. Lieu
tenant Colonel Adams bears the scars of
nine wounds, six Of which were received
at the battle Of Gettysburg. The old flag
which they have carried since the war be-
gan was displayed. It is torn in shreds,
and nothing remains but a few latter I'd rags
that Auttered from the flag staff. 49,. ~ .
The regiment having done so bravely, pc
titioned to be seht 'h6me that their ranks
might be- recruited. Hon. Mr. Donnelly,
representative from Minnesota, Ibid their
application before the Secretary of War,
and used his influence to have it granted.
The Secretary, in consideration Of their
services, granted their request and order
ed .thento report to Fort Smelling. This
is virtually u furlough, and is regarded as
high honor. q aqes7'1 s#-G 'r.*' ~ ~ Il
Shortly. after nine o'clock the regi
ment marched into the dining room Of
the National potcl, and surroun ed
the large tables: The bill Of fare, COM
prising all the de]icacies Of the season,
was abundontly discussed. The brave
boys, after their long service in the
field, on plain food, cleared the tables
with "a marvellous rapidity. s.@ 'sa>
Hon. VIM. Witdon presided, AID at
half.past ten. o'clock, the cloth being
removed, called the assembly to order
and welcomed the regiment in the tol-,
lowing speech, brima.ing with elo;ucncc
and beauty Of style: ..f: 3@5 .sa.a2
officers and Soldier. Of the FIRST. Minnesota
Regiment: .siE DIT 1T III. .g a5ts,gtffS.ti9i
| Gould, Iispeak IS well as yon have fought,
my words might adequately express the
emotions which we'll up from the bottom Of
my heart.to night. Through her. sons who
meet ron here, the North Star Stste eagerly
l3stretchos out her hand fifteen hundred
miles to welcome her returning heroes