The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-05-06

trys glory, and will emblazon the records of
this war, growing brighter and brighter like
the deeds of Leonidas and his Spartan hand at
Thermopyl9. with each circng wear. as lone
as the clarion notes of war shall inspire the
hearts of generations unborn to battle in de-
fence of freedom and national honor.
Three years ago you rushed from the peace
and domestic tranquility of your own firesides.
at the call of the President to meet the inso,
lent traitors, whose bastard hands had trailed
our glorious old flag in the dust at Sum-
ter. You came from the hillside, and the
valley, from the city and sthe plain, with
your brave hearts and strong arms
to shed your blood in defence of your country's
honor. You were the frs three years regi-
ment rendered under that call, and consequent
~ the oldest in the volunteer service of the
United States.
o. This is proud honor for you and the young
'olate you have SO noby represented. Then
?ou were one Thousand strong, but far stronger
In your patriotic love of country. and in YOUR
answering, unconquerable devotion to its
nay. NO Iherccnary motives induced YOU to
enter tne service; you came i'm the might and
PRIDE OF your manhOod's strength at the call
OF your bleeding country.
Inc bright promise of your first organiza-
llon mas been more than fulfilled in the glory
vi youi "Chlo'ohehts. Your deeds have
worldwide renOwn. The battle scented
breeze from Bull Run, Edwards Ferry. York
town, West Point, Fair Oaks, Peach Orchard
White Oak Swamp, Glendale. Malvern Hin
South Mountain, Antietam Charlestown. Fred.
ericksburg, Bristow Station, and the immortal
held OF gettysburg, have waited them to the
most distant cline. The seal of YOUR blood
was stamped in impershable characters upon
all the twenty odd battle fields embazoned on
your flag. The blood Of over seven hundred
of your comrades in arms has crimsoned over
these historic fields and two hundred and fifty
OF them have passed from the smoke and
clangor of the battles strife to their eternal
bivouac beyond the skies.
They sleep their last sleep, and have fought
their last battle
NO sound can awake them to glory again
Officers and soldiers .-comrades in arms -
You can return TO YOUR homes and the loved
ones who are awaiting your coming with out
stretched arms and joyful hearts. with the
proud consciousness of having well and nobly
performed your duty. Let the memories OF
these three years associations, the common
danger and trials we have shared, be cemented
IN the mutual blood we have shed, carried to
our homes with us, and cherished with all a
true soldiers pride. Forget all the little piGues
and incidents of the service.-cast them into
tue oolvlon OF the past, and there let them lay
buried forever.
Officers and soldiers of the First Minnesota
Volunteers heroes of twenty battles-I now
bid you an aifectiOnate farewell" Never
again will we all assemble together until the
Reveie" at the dawning of eternitys
morning" shall summon us from the long
slumber of the grave, to pass the . Review OF
our lives before the COmmander-n-Ch Chief of
the Armies of the Skies. May merciful Pro-
violence direct your several pathways in life
and crown you with earths brightest honors.
But however brillan: the future may prove TO
each OF you, yet your proudest boast will be
~ belonged to tie First Minnesota :" Farewell +
After which the regiment and battery, es-
corting Governor Miller and General Sibley
and staff, returned to the Fort
1t was understood that the number of COM
panies to which the First is to be reduced, and
the names of the officers to be commissioned
for them, was to be decided last night. 1t is
not believed that q permanent organization of
more than three companies can be made and
these will include a third of their number of
men who are untitled by wounds or sickness
for for active service