The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-08-04
The SECOND BATTERY.
Its Arrival Yesterday, and Re-
csption by the Citizens.
THE BANQUET AT THE CAPITOL.

The Second Minnesota Battery of Light Ar
t'lery, commanded by Capt. Hotchkiss, ar.
rived in this city about three o'clock Saturday
on the steamer Burlington. They were met on
the levee by the civic authorities and officers,
Gen. Sibley and staff, Gov. Miller and the State
officers, and headed by the Greast Western
Band, were escorted to the capitol.
Here Mayor Prince welcomed the Battery to
the Inequalities of the city in a few appro.
pirate remarks.
Gov. Miller also welcomed them to the homes
and the firesides of the people of the State in
short address. He concluded by reference
to the banquet prepared up stairs by the ladies,
who, he said, were like the Second Battery's
cannon at Chickamauga-''can speak for them
selves"
Capt. Hotchkiss replied in brief, soldierlike
and modest response, and after giving three
rousing cheers for the ladies Of st. Paul, the
boys were piloted up stairs, and Toasted on the
viands provided by the fair sex of our city,
The banquet being over the procession was
reformed, and the Battery escorted to the
boat, when such as did not receive fhrloughs,
proceeded to Fort Smelling to await discharge
and payment
The Second Battary is composed ola fine set
Of men, and have always stood high in every
army they were with. As an instance of the
character of the men composing it, we will
state that they yesterday deposited with Chas
Scheffer, the State Treasurer, $16S, as a cem-
mencement towards the organization of
Soldiers Home.
During the three years the Battery has been
in service, it has done good work. We ap-
pend short sketch of
IT'S HISTORY.
The battery was raised during the winter of
1861-62, and mustered into the United States
service March Fl, 1862, Captain w. A. Hotch-
kiss commanding. 1t left the State on the 21st
day of April, 1862, for st. Louis, NO., under
orders of Major General Halleck, and on the
21st of May proceeded from thence to Corinth,
Miss. During the ensuing summer it took
part in the operations of the army of General
Buell. in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky,
and on the 9Th and 9th of October participated
in the battle of Perrysville, KY, doing very
efficient service, and both officers and men dis
tinguishing themselves by their GOODNESS and
skillful gunnerY. On the 30th and 3tst of De-
cember it was engaged in the battle at Muir
freesboro, again rendering valuable services.
During the year 1863 it formed part of the Army
of the Cumberland, taking an active and hon.
orable part in the campaign and rendered inn
portant and signal services in the different en-
gagements and battles, especially at the battle
of Chickamauga on the 18th and Goth of Sep
TENDER. Being now very much reduced in
men by the great losses sustained in battle, it
was retained near Chattanooga from that time
up to early in April next year, when the larger
number of the men then present re-enlisted,
and on the 18th of that month the battery left
for Minnesota on veteran furlough. Returning
to Chattanooga in June following, it remained
at that fort or Out-forts up to March 80, 1866,
when it was ordered to Philadelphia, Tenn.
Here it has remained until the time for its dis.
charge arrived.