Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-06-16
Reception Of the LIST Maine
Heavy Artillery.


having been ordered home for discharge,
arrived here yesterday morning between
three and four O'Clock by special train
Notwithstanding the unreasonable hour OF
their arrival. our people were ready to
give suitable reception and warm well
come 20 the brave and patriotic men who
had endured the hardships Of the camp
and of the march and fearlessly faced suf-
ferings and death in defence of our com
mon country. A salute of 36 guns was
fred and the bells of the city rung upon
the arrival of the train. and the regiment
was received at the station by Companies
A and b, State Guards, under command
of Lieut. Ireland and Capt, Kicker, with a
large number of citizens, and escorted to
the CITY Hall. where substantial and ex-
ccllent collation. had been prepared by the
Committee of Arrangements appointed by
the City Council.
The returning soldiers were welcomed
home by Alderman Hatch for Mayor Dale.
who is absent, in terms expressive of the
deep obligations which are felt by all our
citizens towards the gallant soldiers who
have gone forth and ttiumphantly fought
the battles Of their country. Mr.. Hatch
said:
L,ieut. Col. .Smih-In the name of the
CITY of Bangor. acting as its chief inagls-
tratc in the absence of the Mayor, extend
to ven and the brave officers and soldiers
of YOUR command. cordial aud hearty
welcome to our city.
Nearly three years ago many of your
number went forth from our midst to AID
in crushing n wicked and traitorous re-
hellion, and nobly did the brave First
Maine Heavy Artillery perform their
part.
The reputation for courage and bravery
on the field of battle which your kcgi-
mcnt have acquired, claims our admiration,
ank while we rejoice at your return from
the fatigues and perils of active military
duty, we do not forget. but sacredly cherish
the memory of the brave and honored
dead, of Your Regiment. who have fallen
in battle for nations life.
We remember with pride that the ban
ncrs of Your Regiment have ever been
borne proudly in battle, that the cause you
cspoused has never been deserted and
the work You undertook has never been
neglected. Your services and heroic deeds
will ever be held in grateful remembrance
by vour fellow citizens. We regret that
Your entire Regiment is not here to-day to
receive our welcome.
Were it not for detaiuinc YOU from the
greeting Of friends and dear ones ut home,
who are now anxiously waiting to receive
Won. would recount the number of Your
engagements and speak of the fields where
YOUR valur has been tested.
l.1i,rs b.lnlf Of tho g. tizpus
of Bangor, bid You welcome "home
again" aud cordially invite You TO the en-
tcrtainmcnt before YOU.
Lieut. Col. Smith responded for the rcgi-
mcnt and in behalf of Col. Shepard, in
the following appropriate terms
M Mayor,-in behalf of the officer,
and med of the Ist Maine Heavy Artillery,
| tender You their heartfelt thanks. The
| deep and continuous interest manifesto,
! by Your city in the welfare of the Regi-
mcnt: Your valuable contributions to oul
men in the field have often chcered aus
claddened our hearts. Now after nearly
| three years absence, 10 receive this mag
unanimous reception al your hands, We fee
assured that their record meets Your ap-
proyal.
lou alluded TO our Trimmed ranks. We
/ all mourn our departed heroes. The som
brc garments Of monrnng, which we he
hold in the gallery, the fearful eyes, and
subducd iov of this occasion portray nor,
imprcssivcly than words OF mine, thcil
number and their tics. Bu; wnuld not til,
| LOYAL men and women of Eastern Maine
rather see the 1000 men Of lSti! REDUCED
| to 2io. and have it said of them that the,
fought calamity. and died heroically. than
to have them return with fall ranks but n
disgraccd record cannot refrain from
performing single act Of justice, a thous
and times due to brave men who are now
to leave the service. Trucr men, NOR,
patient. patriotic and brave. never rallict
around theta country's standard than til,
rank and file of the lst Maine. Tn,
mounds in the silent forests of Spottsylva
MIA. the charge of the 18Th of jane. sur
passing in peril and fatality that Of tn,
Light Brigade" which Tcnnyson has con
signed to fame. and many other blood,
fields, are the proofs of their heroism.
Thank Col, the cruel work is complet
ed. Our grand temple Of Freedom, though
every stone is cemented III tile blood of
thousand patriots, is saved, and will stan,
for all time, the proudcst monument .
human rights.
Again; Sir, tender you my SINGER
gratitude for your kind attentions and TIN
repast.
The men were then discharged until thi
morning at nine o'clock. The Commute
furnished the men with Il good dinner an
supper yesterday, and provide breakfas
this morning. Government rations ar
provided by Quartcrmastcr Baker.
Quarters have been provided for then
at the City Hall and the Soldiers Rest
They have been already "mustered out
of service but not discharged. They ar
to be paid of and discharged here; an
for that purpose Paymaster Brown is to b
here OH Wednesday nexI.
The men made tirstrate appearance
and amply sustained the deservcdly hig
reputation of the regiment by their soldier
ly and orderly department, and by tn
evident marks which they bore of hayin
done good honorable service.
The following officers accompany them
1t. Col. Il. \. Smith, in command
Quartermas:er Horatio Pitcher Captain
G. f. Fcrnald, b. L. Anterior Licuten
ants Geo. L. Potc, ]. j. Durham, f.
Robinson.
+ The regiment went out in August, lS6:
as the 18th Maine Infantry, and this dc
tachnent comprises all that are left of tn
original members. In the Spring of 1861
the regiment (Which retained its origins
organization but performed duty as hcav
artillerymen) entered the campaign wit
l,S00 men. They lost up to January, lS6;
in killed, wounded and missing, officer
and men l,I73. The 18th and 10Th Main