The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1864-03-04


The third toast was responded to by Colonel
George. He said:
Lqdies and Gentleman Of 81. Ana.ony: There
are feelings too strong for utterance emotions
better understood than expressed, and occa-
sions when one feels how inadequate is Ian
guage to denote our thoughts Since this req
iment left the State in the fall of 1861, YOU
have watched its progress, and know the trials,
privations, sutferings and losses it has sus-
tanned. Returning here to meet this magnif-
cent welcome, cOntending emotions are enough
to dispirit an effort at response.
There were many with us when we marched
out from Fort Smelling that fall, who are not
with us to-day. Among them you boys will
all remember the tall form of our old Colonel.
This glad occasion must seem more or less i'm
perfect in that he is not here to see the recep-
ton his boys are receiving at his old home.
And there are the others absent, the brave he
roes who have fallen from our ranks into the
grave. If the spirits of the departed could
know our hearts, those hero spirits would bear
witness how gladly we would give all our hon
Ors, dearly won, our pride in our organization,
and the profound qualification inspired by this
occasion, if thereby we might restore and
bring with us to their homes the dead and lost
comrades who filled our ranks when we left
the State.
Continuing nis remarks, Col. George said
that if the boys of the Second had no other ev-
idence of the peoples gratitude, said to be the
chief reward of the soldier, they might yet
we'll be satisfied with this For the regiment,
its past has gone into the records of the cOun-
try, and it is content; and for the future it had
no fears They might be defeated, but the
men who had fought at Chickamauga could be
disgraced never.
Ladies', all that soldiers have to give of
gratitude, you have from US. And, as we go
hence into the line of battle,-not actuated
kl,<~ 1s,~lo- &c go 1,,%
to contend for the integrity of the Union and
in defence of this flag of victory-in quiet
bivouac or on the field of strife, we will re-
member the kindly greeting, and it shall be
an additional incentive to the discharge of
our duties. The heartfelt thanks of myself
and every member of my regiment are
yours.
The Colonel then proposed three cheers for
the ladies' which the boys gave rOundiy, and,
for the ladies, three cheers were returned by
the gentlemen present for the Second Regi-
ment. The Glee Club then sung another song
"Our Soldiers, and the fourth toast was
read:
Always ready in every emergency to defend the
country and vindicate its honor.
To which Rev. Mr.. Riggs responded, by
giving credit to the Army and Navy for the
work it has performed and the efficiency and
superiority it has attained. He assured the re-
SlultuC LudL Tile prayers Vi GucSc, ltS HleuuS.
would be that Gods best blessings should fol-
low it. and that He will keep its members to
return again to their homes.
Following which, the band of the Second
Regiment played "The Red White and Blue
The gallant dead who have fallen in defence
of their cOuntry-Their memories are enshrin-
ed in the hearts of greatful people.
The fifth toast was responded to by dirge
played by the band. The Glee Club sang,
Brave Boys are they" and letters were read
from Hons. Henry NJ. and Edmund Rice.
ST. PAUL, Feb 25, 1864.
regret that a prior engagement will pre-
vent me from accepting the kind invitation of
the ladies of st. Anthony to dinner to be
given the Second Regiment Minnesota Voluu-
teers on the 29th inst. l thank them for the
invitation, and shall ever admire the patriot
ism shown by them in honoring the defenders
of our flag Respectfully yS%s,v yo1rs, n,,,n
L. BOsrwICK, ESQ, Charm of Committee.
Infolded please find So, to aid in defraying
expenses.
ST. PAUL, Feb. &c. 1864.
Hon. L. Bostacict, Chairman, &C.:
DEAR SIR should be very happy to accept
your invitation to attend the dinner to be given
by the patriotic ladies of st. Anthony to the
brave veterans of the Second Regiment, on the
29th inst, if could do SO consistently with my
public duties on that day, but cannot. | APP
preciate the honor extended me most highly
so much 80 that wish that were men,
Der of the regiment for the time
being-for no greater honor can be conferred |
upon a soldier and none can be SO agreeable |
to him as the marked appreciation of his fair |
Their smiles are carried with |
him to the camp fire, cheer him upon his |
silent beat and light up his soul on the battle |
field.
The "brave only deserve the fair but the |
brave Second and their families deserve in ad. |
dition all the moral as we'll as physical aid and |
comfOrt.which the people and authorities of |
the State can possibly extend to them, and my |
prayer is that they may always receive it.
L am, very respectfully, your Obedient SER
want, EDMUND RICE.
The State of Minnesota and its gallant SOL
dier Governor.
On the sixth toast Gov Miller was called
out, and responded happily to all the tOasts
except the last, which he pretty much ignored.
back to the period preceding MIH
Springs, when encouragement rested upon the
country, and all were looking anXiOusly for
one grain OF comfort when even those who
most firmly believed that this Union was one
of the few immortal things not born to die,
were harIassed with fears-came the news of
victory at Mill Springs; When he read
the papers, and saw that the Second
was in the fight, he ran from his tent
into one of the company streets of the
First regiment, shouting in the classical
language he occasionally used at that time,
% Bully for the Second Minnesota! The army
and navy have spoken for themselves, and will
keep on talking by their deeds. The gallant
dead! What volumes of destruction war has
written in the thinned ranks of these two regi
ments, 0he First and Secondly But there is
dignity, glory, history, in dying for a cause
like this of ours. "While you are away, you
shall not be forgotten. If you fall, your re-
membrance shall be cherished, and if you re-
turn, my humble self is proof that the peo-
pie are ready to honor and reward the service
of the soldier"
Three hearty cheers were given for Gov.
Miller at the suggestion of Col. George, and
then, the Governor taking command, the bows
gave three grand cheers and joyous g tiger"
for the ladies'.
The exercises here resting, Judge Hemiup.
Oh the part of the ladies, extended to the men
md officers of the regiment, their friends and
other guests. an invitation to join in a social
assembly and dance at the Winslow in the eve
hing. With the understanding that the invita-
ion was peNerallV accented mo;or;tx, 90 tho |