Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1865-07-21
Reception ofthe Seventeenth Vermont.

Owing to some confusion in tie announce
ments, our citizens were led To- ,xpcc, the
Second Regiment next after the Fourth. 1t
seemed TO be difficult, also. to obtain definite
information on which to calculate the time
of their probable arrival, and it was not till
evening that it wa ascertained that the com
ing regiment was the SeueHfeafh, Col Ran
dali, and that it was then this side Of Troy.
1t was then expected that they would be in
by midnight TLcy were detained, however,
Eve or SIX hours at Pitfsford waiting for the
right Of track, and did not arrive till day
light this morning At five clock the BOOM
ing of ma ional salute announced their al
rival. They were met at the depot by Col
Platt and Mr.. Flanagan, Of the Committee Of
Reception. and marched 10 the City Hall,
where Col. Plat introduced Lncius Bigclow,
Esq, who addressed them as r5!l,ws
Col. RoadOH, officers and soldiers Of the l7h
". Vois.:
reluctantly accepted the duty as gnei ne
BY the authorities OF this city. vi bidding YOU
welcome home. Rsu:tantly-not because do
not appreciate the honor Of addressing those
whose strong arms and sturdy hearts have been
The impenetratle defence Of the country against
the desperate assaults Of traitors, but because of
the natural ffiIence that every man should feel
when asked TO do that impossible thing, to do
justice with empty words 10 solid, speaking
daa1s Rpt mo If sha 1-fh VI xu.1.on,a
you home with peculiar pride. You went out
from among US hastily organized battalion,
and there were faint hearts among US who
feared lest even Vermont valur, undscplinei,
might quail before the shock # n veteran foe
But il was your proud. your iDestimahle priyi-
lege TO put cap-sheaf TO the reputation OF Yer
mont soldiers that already ioweied up before the
country, growing larger and larger, day by
day, as each VI. Regiment in turn dropped its
wreath of victory into the eIpectant lap oft
dear I'D mother Sate.
Fighting ut The front in less than two weeks
after your arrival in Virginia, YOU leaped by
your fret fight 10 the posirion Ofveterans. EQUALS
Of the staunch oil brigade. At Soottsylsania
you exrOr 9 the praise Of your high-sou ed, vet
iran leader, the gallant, lamenttd Reynolds.
cannot spe.k that boBUrel name without stop
ping 10 ply 10 his blessed memory the humble
tribute my admirsiiii aud friendship A IT.
fined, delicate svul, lover { books, he had
no natural taste for the rude experiences OF war;
but he had what Was far better, q personal and
glowing enthusiasm for the cause TO carry him
where any man should dare follow.
The Wilderness, Spo'tsy lvanis. and 1.-THE
dark aud bloody grOui.l" abound Petersburgh
Is MAJ ksd with The green graves Of many dear
aud tined comrados OF youis who have fallen in
cur defence but, Bcys." believe The grave
that will be longest green is the unknown, un-
discovered grave Of your gallant Maj who f,ll
at the " battle OF the Nine
We can almost zee him yet in his last inspir-
ing attitude. striving by dash Of heroism to
retrieve tie Lost fortunes Of the day, and then
falling forward to the foe, but driving down 10
death with himself the reckless rebel that dared
face the fiery thrust of his ayenging sword.
Under such q leader, men of the 18th Vt,
under the guidance ofthose who have since con-
Quoted yen TO victory you could not fail to clutch
repoun, and you have 1t and now We welcome
you to the hoepitslities thai await you in the
hall above, and ask your acceptance Of them as
the sincere, but imperfect, insufficient express
sion Of our warmest regard. Men of the 18th
VT you are welcome to Burlington.
Col. Randall replied IN some hearty and
appropriate remarks, expressing 10 behalf Of
,bis regiment their gsti6cstsoo at returning
70 their homes snid issch Indications Of ap-
proval and wslcoos :, For bis own part It
ma not tn 6rnt tina be had exnexianoed 1ha