The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-09-29
THE FIFTH MINNESOTA, ::
Their presence was the Harbinger OF ::
= VICTORY ON EVERY FIELD. !:

Above the arch was stretched banner IN
scribed with the names of the twenfy-three
battles and sieges in which the gallant Filth
had been engaged. Garlands and wreathes OF
flowers were suspended from the arch, which
was certainly the most handsome yet erected
to any returning regiment.
a.se AT THE CAPITOL. .E2 e..
Arriving at the Capitol, the regiment
marched into the yard, and were drawn W. IN
front of the portico. We were surprised at
the small number present. There did not ap-
pear to be more than 25O The Fifth, there
fore, is the smallest of any regiment that has
vet been entertained .here-showing how fear
fully the havoc of war has desolated its ranks.
Altogether it has had !, 200 names on its rolls,
showing that about 900 men have either died
or been discharged for disease and wounds,
since the regiment was organized. .H.
THE FORMAL WELCOME.
w. L. Wilson, Esq, Chairman OF the Sol
diers Reception Committee, then introduced
Alderman T. j. Galbraith, who welcomed the
regiment on behalf of the city as follows:
MR. GALBRAITH's SPEECH.
Veteran Soldiers of the Fifth Minnesota Regs-
The city of Saint Paul to-day opens wide her
arms to receive you.
Everybody, and especially the ladies, with
the very deepest gratitude, bids you sponta-
neous and cordial " welcome home"
Your deeds of valor, heroism and self-sacri.
fee in defence of the Union, the Constitution
and the laws, and our "old Flag upon more
than score OF bloody battle fields is appre-
ciated here, this day. ..
Whilst your glorious deeds shall ever keep
on shedding perennial lustre, directly upon you
and yours, It is ours to claim and enjoy the
briliancy Of your achievements reflected upon
US and ours.
Your record is clear-it contains no spot, no
stain, no blenish Your hard-earped and we'll
deserved fame, with the fame of your cOmpat-
riots in the great struggle go to fill up the
casket of Minnesota's jewels.
The great and terrible war which, thank
God, is now closed forever as we all hope, was
waged ut great expenditure Of treasure, but
son with the abiding treasure which our gal
liant citizen soldiers has brought home to us ?
Glory honor and renown!-A nation saved !!
"A flag untarnished and planted upon the
eternal battlements of universal liberty, hu-
man rights and constitutional law! sos
Your history, and ours through you, is safe !!
Weare proud of you! Happy to meet you !!
The 'Old flag"-the old "star.spangled ban
nern-. Uncle Sans" Old Glory yea, Old
Glory itselt-nOw waves and tiutters welcome
WELCOMED! WELCOME!!. to you! Yea,
thrice ten thousand welcomes again the
City of st. Paul says to you Aye, WRL-
CONE, boys, tits
see and hear our Ladies testify to 1t. VEL
come homei
GOV. MIILERS ADDRESS.
0r,.,.-- xhov, iptrodooo1 o.. NE,,,..
who greeted and welcomed the Fifth Regi-
ment on behalf Of the people of the State. He
alluded in terms of high eulogy and praise to
their four wears of war and campaigning, and
to their good service in every duty they were
assigned to. Now he was happy to greet them
once more, almost on the threshold Of their
homes, to which they were proudly marching.
reioiced that the war was ended and they had
done their duty creditably. It was indeed q
proud and happy reflection that wars harsh
mnsic no longer resounds through our land,
but that the Angel of Peace has again spread
One Painful thought however, forces itsell
upon us even in the hour of rejoicing. 1t
the recollection of the scores and hundreds o.
the greetings of their friends. They are the
"fallen heroes of the war, but thank Heaven
the Stars and Stripes wave over their graves
Their work was not in vain. Their blood anC
the valor'o of the survivors have secured perpe
tuity to our institutions. As long as our noun
tains stand, or our broad rivers run to the sea
80 long will they last.
You have returned to the people who appre
ciate your services and none more 60 than thu
ladies'. The Governor then referred humor
ously to the fact of the ladies having distri
buted housewives" among the soldiers il
1861. and said he had no doubt but that they
would willingly furnish them (the unmarriet
ones. that is) with housewives now-whicl
sally was greeted with great laughter by tn,
bows in blue, as well as applauded by the la
dies.
The soldiers were then conducted to tn,
tables up stairs. and waited on by the ladie