Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-02-26
Mcclellan nnd the Soldiers -Ens
tIsstsiastic Reception Of the Gen-
eral by tho First New Work. Cav.
nuvr.v t- 4

cN~Ah ny INC y Afos AtCW AOrAk N0Vs
airy.
From the New York Express. Feb. ls.i
After the lst New York cavalry we're re-
viewed on Thursday, they sat down to
fine dinner, provided by the committee on !
National Affairs, at the jefferson Market
Drill Rooms,
Alderman Hardy then formally welcomed
them to the city in behalf Of the municipal
authorities, and Colonel McReynolds re-
Piled.
The announcement was then made, Seen.
| Mcclellan Is cdmingt"
At this moment private jumped upon
the tables and shouted 'Silence; keep still a.
moment The Others not understanding
what he would have cried sect down.
keep still" 81 won't keep still, he re-
piled IN O stcntorian voice. Boys, Gen.
Mcclellan is coming I'M"
In an instant there was such scene of
enthusiasm as cannot be adequately describ-
ed. Every one turned toward the door,
soldiers literally clambercd over each other
and the tables, cheering in thewildest man
ner As he passed through the room, they
caught him by the hands. and gathered
about him so that he could hardly move
Hats were waved in the air in all directions.
and there was one unanimous voice OF glad
greeting. When the General and friend
who came with him had reached the officers,
and been heartily welcomed by them, Col.
NcReynolds arose and, requesting silence,
spoke as follows:
j "Soldiers-Buta short time ago the chair
man ON this occasion did us the honor to re-
fer to the fact that the 1st New York caval-
ry were the last on the Chickahominy and
the first TO reach James river. 1t was a
proud announcement gentlemen, and twas
true. l now have the honor and great pleas
ure, TO announce to you that the noble chief
tain who led the Army of the Potomac on
that occasion, that matchless chieftain, Gen.
; George b. McClellan-[cheers lasting sew
eral minutes] II do not blame you for your
enthusiasm-Gen George b. Mcclellan. has
honored you with his presence. Renewed
cheers.l II you will keep still for a mo-
lment, have no doubt he will speak to
lyou."
The tumult of cheers subsidized as Gen.
|, Mcclellan arose, and the room became as
quiet as if for prayer. He spoke as fol-
lows:
'My friends and comrades-I came here
not TO make speech to you, but to well
lcome YOU home, and to express to you the
pride have always felt in watching your
career, not only when you were with me,
but since / left the Army of the Potomac,
while you have been fighting the battles
z under Others than your old commander. 1
can tell You now, ,conscientiously and truly,
am proud of you in every respect. There
isnot one page of your record-not line
of it-of which You, your State and your
country may not be proud. | congratulate
you on the patriotism that so many of you
, have evineed in your desire to re-enter the
service. hope, | pray, and | know that
your future career win be as glorious as
your past. have one other hope. and that
is, that we may yet serve together some day
again" :.
The cheers that followed this speech
were repetition of the previous scene. Off
GERS and men cried out "We'll follow you
anywhere, General" 1t was during these
: scenes that Mr.. (General) Wetmore disap-
peared, and was not seen any more during
the banquet.
Mr.. Philauder Reed, who came in with
Gen. Mcclellan. said: ''Soldiers of the 1st
New York Cavalry: Mrs. Mcclellan said:
Tell the soldiers of the lst New York
Cavalry | am only sorry | cannot come
round TO the market and shake each of them
by the hand.'" Three cheers for Mrs. Gen. I
McClellan.]
Mai. ID. II. Harkins was introduced, and
said: "Fellow-soldieas: | feel indeed proud /
that have been so highly honored to-day. }
not only by the Common Council, the May !,
or of New York. and by the people, but
that we have had the distinguished honor
of being addressed by the first chieftain of
this age. Loud cheers.] The man, who is
not only the pride and glory of our coun-
try, but who has in all its darkest hours.
come forth as its savior, and lifted us out OF
destruction, making victory once more to
perch upon those banners that had been
made to flee before the banners of rebellion.
[Cheers.l The name of Major General Geo.
b. Mcclellan [renewed cheersl, and his
name only, could bring back those soldiers
to discipline, and make them again an or
ganization proud and glorious. [Great
cheers, waving of flags and hats.l II
may be that In the dark hour to come,
| If it is to come, George B. Mcclellan
win again, like another Savior, come
and bring victory and liberty to the whole
United States. [Cheers.] will say for the
LIST New York Cavalry that though he has !,
not been with us in the field, he has been i'm !!
our hearts. [Renewed cheers 1t is proud I
thing, indeed, for us TO be assembled here, |
the first regimentof cavalry in the United |
States service, to see more than three |
fourths of them, after their arduous duties, |
re-enlsted for the war. A voice, Under
Gen: Mcclellan Cheers.l Yes, under Gems.
Mcclellan and Grant. (Cheers.] Where |
are the stay-at-home people to hide their
diminished heads? Let them put on the |
spurs of the 1st New York Cavalry
! [Cheers.r
The announcement that Gen. Mcclellan |
would speak again caused another burst of
cheers, which was succeeded by silence. |
The General said: "Gentlemen-Now /
shall have to say good-by to you for the |
present; and. in doing so, shall propose
the health of the LIST New York cavalry
[Cheers. "rhree cheers for Little Mac.''] |
1t is useless TO attempt to describe the en-
thusiasm with which the soldiers crowded |
about him as he left the room. They most
ly followed him out to the street, and their
cheers re-echoed again and again.
Legislative Summary.