The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1865-08-11

How on that eventful nlgnC the clu1ens Oh thls
city rallied at our public hall 20 devise means
to meet the then pending call for soldiers for
the Union? How the Firemen of this city
came forward with men and means to meet
that call? Your gallant Lieutenant Colonel
was among the first to hang out his recruiting
fac at that time. How well his call was re-
sponded to, the gallant company of young men
he led out of our city can testify. How nobly
they have performed their duty, the thinned
ranks OF that company and OF the regiment
Soldiers of the Sixth Minnesota: have long
known your gallant Lieutenant Colonel. l
have known him not in the camp, on the
march, or in the field, but have known him
as the fearless, devoted fireman-as one OF the
founders of our loved Department; known
him as an old personal friend. have stood
with him battling the devouring element when
hope seemed in vain. Ever did find him
eaual to the emergency. You have among
you others of our Department, whom their
brother tiremen feel proud to do honor to to-
day. Pardon me in mentioning gallant Capt.
Harry Gillian, of your Regiment-the fearless
post of danger. With pride and pleasure We
meet him to-day.
Soldiers: 1t is a proud qualification to the
Firemen of st. Paul to contribute their part on
this occasion of your triumphant return to the
capital city of our State. Officers and soldiers,
1 again bid you freman's hearty welcome to
your homes.
Governor Miller was then introduced by Mr..
Wilson, and addressed the Regiment as fol-
lows:
GOV. MILLERs ADDRESS.
l have o great mind to begin my remarks
where Mayor Prince left of, because we can
not say too much in praise of the ladies. You
remember that at the last grand review OF the
9Th regiment at Fort Smelling prior to- its de-
parture from the State, hundreds OF Minnesota
ladies were present as interested and sympa-
thizing spectators. They were among the last
objects too that greeted your vision at st. Paul
melted away in the distance and are now
among the first and most cordial to greet your
return. Their prayers have attended you
through the dangers and privations OF three
years, and am admonished by their bounty
and waiting that brevity on my part will be
virtue.
return to Minnesota, all the more cordially be-
cause know that your duty has been nobly
performed.
Immediately after the bloody Indian massa-
cree of 1862, witnessed your devotion to Min
nesota upon the plains hundreds of miles west,
and where we now stand, and in 1868 you
nobly contributed to the chastisement of the
fiends who 80 frequently have desolated our
homes.
the miasma of deadly camps, and the roar OF
battle you have borne an honorable part in the
conflicts which have eliminated in the vindica-
ton of the government, and the recognition OF
the old flag in every State of the Union. 1t re-.
quires courage to stand for the rights amid the
leaden hail and iron storm; but to my appre-
hension the Sixth Minnesota displayed still
more genuine heroism, when, Notwithstanding
the disease, death and desolation of Helena, it
patiently stood at the post of dutV
If there be around this vast assemblage man
who asks the condition of the old Ship of State
after her voyage of four years through seas of
tears and blood the Sixth regiment is prepared
to respond:
1.-The good chip UNIoN's voyage Is DER:
At anchor safe she swings;
And loud and clear, with cneer on cheer,
Her joyous welcome rings
Hurrah hurrah 1t shakes the wave,
1t thpnders on the shore
One fag one land, -One heart, one hand
one Nation evermore" TAppause.l
LIEUT.. COL. GRANTS RESPONSE
Lieut. Col Grant responded as follows:
Ladies', Citizens, and Firensea of 81. Pal:
My heart is almost too full of joy at our safe
arrival home, to respond to your kind senti-
ments of welcome. And yet joy alone does not
fill or hearts, for they are oppressed by the
grief of those who look in our ranks, Gin vain,
alas y for their loved ones who are now sleep
ing their last sleep. Would that they were
with us to-day, to gladden. the hearts of their
friends by their return, as ours has your hearts,
and to rejoice with us in once more arriving at
home.
On behalf of my regiment, allow me to thank
you, ladies and citizens of st. Paul. and brother
firemen, for your kind and gratifying welcome
to US to-day.
The iremen here gave three cheers for Lieut.
Colonel Grant, which was responded to by the
regiment with three rousing cheers for the fire.
men, and three more deafening huzzahs for the
ladies of St Paul. After this cheerful incident
the men fled in to breakfast, which, notwith-
standing all the drawbacks, was bountiful and
rich. Boqusts were distributed in profusion,
and every soldier, we observed, had one.
ANOTHER -FOUR sHILL1S' DINNER.
The Provost Guard had provided bountiful
lunch in the rear of the capitol, and with the
firemen, Aldermen, &C., as invited guests, re-
paired thither to refresh themselves. It was q
pleasant occasion. and designed as a return
of the hospitality extended to the Provost
Guard by the fremen on q late similar occa-
sion.
AFTER BREAKFAST
was concluded, the Sixth Regiment was formed
in line, and marched, preceded by the civil es-
cort, to the upper levee, where they embarked
on the steamers Anna johnson and Mollie
Mohler, and were soon at the Fort.
The Sixth has not yet been mustered out,
and this process, with the payments, will cop
sumo about ten days, when they will return to
"civil life" again. The Sixth has q fine re-
cord-one of which its members may be proud.
We append below condensed sketch Of the
HISTORY OF THR SIXTH REGI.
MENT.
The call Of the President for 600, 900 men in
July 1862, was promptly responded to by our
citizens. The recruiting flag was to be seen in
every town and hamlet and the Regiment was
raised in about 8 weeks. The commissions of
the line officers date from August 1st to 18th.
The following is the
Original Roster.
FIELD AND STAFF.
Colonel-William Crooks.
Lieut.. Col.-John T. Averiu
Major-Robt. N. NcLaren.
Int