The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-01-28

them oh how deeply, let these draped
forms, and sorrowing hearts around
US, bear you testimony.
For you Who have survived all the
hardships and dangers Of the war, to
make us happy by your presence-for
you, gallant soldiers, we have good
cheer and hearty welcome--and for
those other brave ones, who cone not
back to US with you--who viii return
to their homes here--ncvermorc-s sol
diers, we, and you, have u place for
their memories, in our heart ofhearts
Whom the cloud Of war, in the po-
litical horizon, appeared no longer
than man s hand, " and the President
made call for three months volun-
teers, to enable him to queA disorder,
and enforce obedience TO law, none
were moro prompt to respond than
you. For this we give you all praise
And when shortly therefter the ex-.
tent andmagnitude ofthe rebellion be-
came better understood, and the exi-
gencies of the times required that our
Chief Magistrate should have an army
for three years,-No sooner had he put
forth his call, than you, brave boys Of
the 18th, again rendered your service s
to the country. For this, all honor
ever be done to your brave and loyal
hearts,
But soldiers, it YET remained for
you to perform the crowning &C. of
your patriotism, and your bravery
for when the period Of your second
enlistment was about to expire, with
the great rebellion not yet fully Irush-
ed out,-with portions of the country
in which our laws were not respected
nor obcycd, with the blood Of your
brothers slain by rebel hands, yot cry
ing out from the ground-then 1t was
that you put forth that sublmest act
of your lives, when you sent out the
declaration to the country and the
world, that "Ohio'S Old Seuenteenth,"
would not break ranks, nor leave the
Union forces in the field, until every
armed traitor was put down and until
rebels and rebellion should be num-
bered with the things thatehave pass
cd away. Soldiers How did not that
noblest act Of yours make every loyal
heart to swell with honest pride?
Officers and soldiers, while you re-
main with us, we tender to you the
hospitalities of tO,cn and country and
when you shall again 60 forth to tho
front, to bear your part in enforcing
obedience to authority, and law-and
when with your strong brave arms,
and Heavens smiles, you shall have
gotten us the final victory--when sweet
peace shall once more return to our
now afflicted country, and dwell in ev-
cry part of the land-then, brave mer,
we will owe you debt of gratitude
that no tongue can tell, and no time
efiacc
We regret that we have not been
able to obtain from Col. Ward copy
OF his eloquent reply on behalf of the
Regiment. He spoke of the gratifca-
tion which the soldiers feel, on return
ing to their homes, to be thus kindly
received, and to find such evidences of
the determination of the people to
stand by them, and alluded in feeling
terms to the gallant conduct and la
mentcd death. of Ricketts,, Butterfeld,
and others of the ''unreturning brave"
of the Regiment. - a .,q
After these ceremonies the Reg't
stacked arms and marched into the
Hall to supper where the Ladies re-
ceived them with repeated cheers and
the Band with Home Again
Much desire had been felt to have
Hon. II. FL. HUNTER make the welcome
speech to the brave Regiment-and
hopes were entertained, down to q late
hour of Saturday, that he would be
able to do so. But then Mr. Martin re.
ceived from Judge Hunter the follow
ing letter, which the soldiers, and all, |
requested should be published with the
proceedings of the occasion: !
COLUMBUS, January %, 1864.
]. D. MARTIN, Esq:
Mr.. Doan called on me on Friday
night about 8 o'clock, with your dis
patch about my being present to re-
ceive and welcome home the veterans
of the 18th 0. V. l., on their furlough |
after rc-enlisting. ] regret / cannot
leave here SO as to be at home before
the latter part of this week, before
which time it is probable the occasion
will have passed. l trust, however,
they will receive an open-hearted and
an earnest welcome, and right good
cheer. Their devotion to the great
cause of the country in thus again en-
gaging to fight her battles, and drive
back the rebellion, is worthy of all
praise, and l truly hope they will not
be received with stinted hand or a
clouded brow. ..Ha
I'll cannot be present in person, l
desire to contribute generously to any
expenses that may be incurred on the
occasion, and hereby commission you
to represent mo as you shall think
proper in that regard, by checking for
funds in my name on your Bank.
-a Very respectfully,