St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1864-02-18
NELC0ME 70 THE FIRST REGIMENT
5'1"' IN WASHINGTON.
- TRIBUTE BY STRANGERS. :
ELOQUENT SPEECHES OF HONS. WIN.
DOM AND DONNELLY.

On the first page will be found a 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 GAron-
icle: ..@-. II. &s-.z -: -. ...'. ..
B., The LIST regiment of National volunteers
from the State of Minnesota now returns
home. for the purpose of recruiting its
ranks by enlistment, being now 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-ohe battles. AS
follows: Gettysburg, Bdn Run, Balls
Bluff, Yorktown, West FONT, 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. L, Fredericksburg No.,
., iIaymarkct,. Bristow Station, and Flint
Hill. There are few regiments in the SER
vice that can show as bright a record. and
the history Of its triumphs is history Of
valor, and fidelity, and discipline Its
thinRed ranks attest its devotion. But
three hundred and nine are left to answer
to the roll call. When the regiment was
organized it :, ,mhered 900 men. In time
it received 400 recruits, and all are gone.
dead, wounded. or missing; The 800 who
sat aroun .the lables l.. 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 OIL Baltimore. It was among the first
to enter. the service after. the fall of Fort
Sumpter, and was mustered in April goth,
1851. 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 high
reptte Of this regiment for yalor and dis
cipline is shown in the lonors that lave
been paid to its commanding officers. Col
onel German is how bfigadier general !;
Colonel Dana is now u m jo, general, COM
manding n corps, and in charge of the Tex
as expedition; Colonel Sulfy is how brlga-
der general, commanding in. the Indian
countries; Lieutenant Colonel Miller was
subsequently, brigaded,. and is now Gov
ernor of Minnesota; Colonel Morgan is
now in the invalid corps. Colonel Colvihe
is now the commanding officer OF the 'fegi-
ment. lie was wounded at Gettysburg,
and is now unable TO move. He had to be
carried into the dining room On Saturday
by 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 ID rays
that Auttered from the flag staff ,..,53 -.
The regiment having done so bravely, Pc
titioned to be seht home that their ranks
might be recruited Hon Mr. 'Donnelly,
representative from Minnesota, luid their
application before the Secretary Of War,
and used his influence to have it grdhted.
The Secretary, in consideration Of their
services, granted their request. and order
ed ,thenao report to Fort Smelling. This
is virtually u furlough, and is regarded as
ahigh honor. 59.@s.ss tsI f@a5 #
Shortly after nine o'clock the regii
ment marched into the dining room Of
the National Potcl, and surroun ed
the large tables. The biliof fare, COM
prising all the delicacies Of the season..
was abundantly discussed. The brave
boys, after their long service in the.
field, on plain food, cleared the tables
with a marvellous rapidity. III.
Hon: VIM. Witdo,n presided, ard at
half ten o'clock, the cloth being.
removed, called the assembly to order
and welcomed. the regiment il. the 1ol-.
lowing speech, brimn,ing with elo;ucncc
and beauty Of style: 8=s..s4
Ofcers and Solder, Of. the First linnesota
Could Ispeak IS we'll as yo,l have. fought
my words might adequately e1pressi the
emotions whieh we'll up from the bottom Of
my heart 70 night 81 Through her sons who
meet, you here, the North Star Stite eagerly
|5stretchos out her hand fifteen hnndred
miles to Welcome her returning heroes
d