The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-18
THE CITY GLAD.


lowing, the people rose to their feet and
many mounted chairs, cheering wildly and
waving flags and handkerchiefs. Captain
Curtis, still carrying his large bunch of
flowers, was at the head, escorted by John
Navin, who had worked hard to make the
demonstration yesterday what it was. Down
the entire length of the hall and up the
steps at the front of the stage they marched,
Captain Curtis and the officers to a round
table which had been prepared for them be-
tween the two large ones, and the other
members of the battery to the other tables.
All remained standing while Mayor Taggart
was introduced to make the address of well
come. Attired in the regulation red tie of
the party which went to meet the boys, Mr..
Taggart stepped forward and spoke words
of praise to the soldiers. He said: Cap
tain Curtis, officers and men of the Twenty
seventh Battery-I consider it a distin-
guished honor to extend to you these words
of welcome, and at the same time appre-
ciate the difficulty of my position. Words
cannot express the feeling which the people
not only of Indianapolis, but trust of this
great State, hold for this organization, the
only one of the Indiana troops which landed
on foreign soil. This battery was organized
in 1883, with many of the officers now In
command as active members. In 1885 Cap
tain Curtis took command, and since that
time it has been an honor and glory to the
State it represents and an ample means of
free advertising for this, it's home city.
The boys have never been vanquished. On
the 14th day of April they were mustered
into the service of the United States, stayed
some time at the fair grounds, and then
moved to Chickamauga- Later they sailed
Cos.
that time every night and every morning
prayers for their safety and welfare have
followed them from their loved ones at
home, and to-day all but three return, and
I have a telegram in my hand from Con-
gresham Overstreet which says that these
are improving and on a fair way to re-
covery. Where is there a better record than
this to bring back? When Battery A got
ready to open fire peace was declared.
Oaughter) 1t is true, my friends, that our
boys had no opportunity to fight, but If
that chance had been given them we all
know what the result would have been.
These men are hungry, and 1 will not de-
tain them longer. Again I extend to you a
hearty welcome and thank you
GAVE THE FOOTBALL YELL.
When the mayor ceased speaking the ap-
plause was great and several of the old
Battery boys, who were not with the COM
pany in Porto Rico, pressed up close to the
stage and gave the old football yell:
1T L. A. rah rah, I. L. A. rah rah, hurrah,
Murray, bully for Battery A."
Calls for Curtis followed, and with a
streamer of purple and gray, the old battery
colors, hanging from one shoulder strap, he
spoke as follows: "Mr. Chairman, Ladies
and Gentlemen and Fellow-ctizens: After
a demonstration of this kind it is difficult
to express the thanks that one feels. This
might have done honor to Napoleon and his
cohorts and will be carried in the memories
of the officers and men of this battery as
long as they live. Ten times in the past,
this battery has returned with the laurels
of victory perched upon it's shoulders. Sew
enteen times in the last fourteen years have
we returned with records showing that it
was the best National Guard battery in the
country. They struggled for this reputation
and with the men who won it as nucleus.
the volunteer battery as you see it to-day
was formed. 1t is one of the best batteries
of this war, yea, may say upon good au-
thority, the best in the Hispano-American
war. They have always been ready and
amid storm of bullets and in the horror of
battle would have deported themselves as
proudly as did their fathers in the previous
war. And it affords me pleasure to return
them now, everyone to their mothers and
fathers, husbands, brothers and sweet
hearts. They walked bravely down San
Juan hill to what seemed like certain battle
and not knowing what an hour would bring
forth And 1 assure you that there was rot
one of your friends who showed the least
fear or faltered in his STEP We were pre-
pared for battle when the messenger, dra-
matically as could have been arranged, an
nounced that peace had been declared Your
boys almost wept with disappointment and
from that moment have wished to start
again toward home. Take them back now.
Treat them well. They offered their lives,
prospects and their all. What more could
mortal man do?"
Private Henderson, who has acted as
chaplain of the battery, offered thanks for
their safe return, the reception and well
come they had received and all were then
seated to the sumptuous dinner. The wait
ers were kept busy for an hour until finally
the boys received their daintily tied cigars
and were started off again to the old ar
mory, at the corner of Sixteenth and Senate
avenue