Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-06-16

started, n thousand Of 40 likely boys AZ ever left
any State. TO fight for the country and the fsg.
And every day Of the long years which have
followed have only made us prouder Of you. We
have followed you with hearty appreciation
through all your course since. Whether fight
ing with Banks on his retreat, or scour-
ing the valleys of Virginia after Mosby's
guerrill's, or dashing around Richmond on
Stoneman's or Wilson'S raid, or charging. your
sabres ringing against rebel biyonets, at Gettys-
burgb. or swooping down on captured cannons
at Cedar Creek, through forty fights and hun
dred skirmishes which | need not enumerate,
from Mount jackson 70 Appomsttox Court
House, we have followed you with honest pride
We learned whenever we heard of gallant fight
ing done by the Cavalry Of the Army of the Po-
tomsc 10 expect, as = matter Of course, TO see
honorable mention of the Is, VI. Cavalry. Proud
40 we are ofthe way in which all our Vermont
troops have sustained the honor Of the State and
the old renown of the Green Mountain Boys, We
are prouder Of none than Of our Cavalry; and
when the history of the war is closed, believe
it will appear that no regiment has more hon
orsble page in the glorious record than yours,
and that no regiment has equsiled the First YER
mont Cavalry in captures of guns and Gags in
actual conflict
The War has ended in the triumph Of Law
and rightful authority, and we now welcome
you back as among the heroes by whose stout
hearts snd strong arms the triumph has been
won. We were glad TO welcome home last Fall
your comrades who had honorably served their
three years term, and we are glad TO welcome
you. Such future service as some Of you look
forward to will be ght. and you will
all, trust, soon be allowed to return 10 the
homes that are waiting for you, to remain with
Us. as good citizens as you have been soldiers
Believe me that while the remembrance Of the
great war for the Union remains. you will he
remembered. The memory Of your gallant d cad
will be enshrined in the hearts of this people;
and for you. the honored survivors, 1t will he
proud reflection and sure passport to the res
pect and affection Of our people. that you
fought under Custer and Sheridan in the ranks
Of the First Vermont Cavalry
Mr. Benedict closed with an invitation. in be
half of the Mayor. City Council and Citizens
of Burlington, to the Cavalry and 81 Light
Artillery. to tie refreshment tables 10 the
Hall
Colonel Hall responded briefly and appro-
priately. recalling the time when. three
years and a half ago, he marched with The
regiment through these streets. and some ct
their experience since. Though few Of the
men who then composed it remained.
the same regiment, and stree he had had
command Of it, it had been his purpose and
constant endeavor to return it at the war;
end, with lite organization unbroken. In
conclusion, he heartily thanked the Mayor.
Col. Platt, and the citizens Of Burlingt n b.,
for this hearty reception. Three rousing
cheers, proposed by Mayor Catlin, for the
Cavalry, we're then given by the crowd, and
were followed by hearty cheers by the Cayal-
~ for General Custer, for Mayor Catlin, the
City Ct Burlington, and for the 3rd Battery.
The Battery then led the way into the Hall,
followed by the Cavalry, whence all
after pretty well clearing the tables Of
the refreshments provided, marched back,
the former to their barracks in the Fair
ground and the latter to their quarters at
the Hospital. All seemed gratifed by their
reception, the more 80. as, OWING coubtle,s
in part to the short notice Of their coming.
they had received but seanty welcome hither-
to in the towns in the State through which
they passed.