The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-02-19

gether, at its headquarters in Teutonia Hall,
and the citizens of Hastings assembled in great
number, to see and welcome the returning
braves. The exercises were opened with pray
er, and interpreted with patriotic songs from
an impromptu glee club, the whole audience,
largely composed of ladies. joining In the cho-
rus of g Rally Round the Flag" Judge Crosby
formally welcomed the regiment home on the
part of his fellow citizens. Lieut.. Col. Adams
was called out, and responded in appropriate
remarks. and other officers Of the regiment
were also called upon. ar,.ar, =. IS, .s...
The men of the regiment were divided be-
tween the three hotels, and provided by the
reception committee with good supper, lodging
and breakfast. .ia civ loia is..f ...,t,.f
Later in the evening the officers of the reg.
iment and visiters from St. Paul were invited
to oysters, coffee and wine at tho fremont
House. 1t was good feed, and an unusually
pleasant dining room assembly. The party did
not dispense till very late hour. ,,g sr
The citizens of Hastings deserve and receive
credit. for their great liberality and public
spirit, in their reception and entertainment of
the regiment. The feeling of the people was
shown in every courteous and generous way,
and there was no installing that the First boys
were among their best friends. rase, ..I
The Reception at st. Paul.
The regiment arrived at st. Paul, from Hast
ings, about o'clock yesterday afternoon. and
were received according to the programme
published on Sunday. Notwithstanding it WINS
a cold stormy day, the wind blowing gale
an immense crowd met them at the foot of
Rosabel street. The scene there as the boys
met their relations and old friends was beyond
description. Besides our St. Paul people, there
were many friends and relatives of members of
the regiment from other towns of the State,
and from the country. Hand shaking, en-
bracing and kissing was the order of the time,
and for the few moments opportunity was
given for such greetings. the boys were kept
busy.
The procession, which was at once formed
and took up the line of march for the Athe-
neum, was over half mile in length, and
| formed as follows:
1. Fire Department Escort.
g. Mayor and Council.
3. Band.
T. State Officers and Legislature
5. Gen Sibley and Staff in carriages.
g. Field and Staff officers of the Second
Regiment in carriages.
Z. The first flag of the First Regiment
| W h an sort of the regiment.
| 8. THE First REGIMENT with knapsacks
and guns. Marching by companies.
| 9. Soldiers mounted
10. Butchers Association, mounted
| IL. Citizens in carriages.
IL. Citizens on foot. ..
The buildings along the line of march, were
decorated with national Nags. The Engine
houses of the Fire Department were, with the
Engines in holiday trim. the doors of the
houses standing open AMI the bells ringing @
Joyous peel as the procession moved by. The
windows all along the way were occupied by
ladies. whose waving handkerchies looked like
broad lines of white adown the streets.
The procession itself was half hid in the
floating flags and banners. The Firemen bear
ing large banners inscribed with words of wei.
come to the returning heroes of Minnesotas
first Offering in the war. and of honor to theil
dead comrades, carried also smaller banners in
| scribed each with the name of one of the bat
ties in which the First has been engaged.
Arrived at the Athen@um, which had
been fitted mp in bes style and neatly decorated
the regiment marched through the opened
ranks of its escort. St ckef arms and filed in
to the hall where five tables had been set on
the main floor. and one upon the stage fnrn-
ishipg seats for about two hundred and fifty.
As they marched in and took thei- places. the
ladies who thrOnged the side galleries. the
gentlemen upon the stage and the Firemen
| in the front gallery. Joined IN welcoming plau-
dts and as the battle far and trophies of che
regiment were borne through the hall and
placed Mt the front centre of he stage the
| applause and cheers were redOubled and the
Great Western Band joined in with brilIian!
strain of martial music When the officers
| and men had been seated Chief Engineer
Pickett announced Mayor Warren to welcome
ties and citizens, and the Mayor delivered the
following
WELCOME TO ST. PAUL.
SOLDIERS Of The MINNESOTA FIRsr-tbe
| regiment offered to the C untrv in its hour OF
| need, cOnsecrated with the blood of more than
twenty battles. and the los. OF more men than
composed its original nnmber it is with the
most heartfel pleasure that welcome you to
he Inequalities of ST. Paul. 1l
| BY your b. yery your sufferingS and your
| patriotic sacrifices IN the cause of our common
country YOU have won for yourselves an i'm
perishable renOwn. You have reflected glory
| upon your State, and have earned the graft
tude of its citizens as a permanent legacy for
your wives and children. -
| And to those of Won who have neither wives
nor children to love and pray for you while
fighting for the unity aud Immortality of your
country, can assure you that should you sur
vive the perils OF the war and witness again
the starry banner OF freedom floating in ali its
beauty over every part of our beloved land,
"nOt stripe erased, not star Obscured." the
fairest and lOveliest daUg tiers of America will
take your hands with pride and give you their
hearts with joy. 1t matters mol how battered
| you may be though YOU may have lost ar arm,
| or leg, cr an eye. Your very disfgurements
| will but increase their admiration, and your
| scars will be looked upon as badges of no
| bity! 7o .,,a4, .,l....- mi ...'-,..
Do We are rejoiced to see you among us We
| bow our heads in reverence as We behold your
stalwart forms and CALI to mind the terrible
scenes through which you have passed.
You have come forth from The fiery furnace
pure gold. tried and purified Bat still you
| have determined. with Il nObleness of purpose
! that has never been sur a>sed. to devote YOUR
selves again, of your own free will, to the ,es-
cue of our own Imperfect country. 1t is this
| fact on urand n disntur. .sfad CD n.,r;c,;.