Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1898-08-20
Welcome Home.

Thirteen weeks ago today the Fir.
Vermont Regiment left its state cam
by the lake and set out for souher
fields little expecting to return to til
homo scenes before the SHOWS of winte
should cover the ground. But the prog
ress of the war has beon so rapid, An
the proud Dons have been compelled t
yield so speedily to the command of I'm
Gle Sam that before another issue of thi
paper the First Vermont Regiment will
again be in camp near Fort Ethan Allel
there to await the order to advance o
break ranks, possibly forever as par
Of the mighty army of the United States
How changed will be the faces Of thu
friends who shall Journey to the CAM
to extend joyous hand clasp to thos'
Vermont Volunteers from what the,
were when amidst tears and with aching
hearts we bade the boys .'good bye ant
God speed" few months ago. Where
all was sorrow and tear dimmed eyes
will now be joy and good cheer. Smile.
will take the place of tears. Flags
should deck our streets, the bands
should render their sweetest strains and
"Sec the Conquering Hero Come" should
be the song from every throat.
The old flag has not been trailed in
the dust by the boys from Vermont.
The regiment has not brought single
reproach to the state from whence they
came. They have been ready to obey
every order no matter where it should
lead. Had the call sounded for them to
go across the sea to assist their repre-
sentative Dewey quickly would it have
been answered. Had orders been is
sued calling them to Porto Rico no re-
grets would have been offered by the
troops from this patriotic State. Had
the commander despatched them to San
tiago each man would have fallen into
line for duty. Had tho war been pro-
longed and the Vermont boys assigned
to march with Lee they would have re-
joiccd that, like their fathers of old,
they were to be in the last engagement
OF the conflict. Because they were not
sent against the enemy is no reason why
they should not receive all the honors
and welcomes that would be given to
the men who charged against the foe.
They riskcd life and happiness by going
into service, many of them leaving lu-
crative positions that they might defend
their country.
Vermont boys have spent three
months beneath parching southern
sky. Many IF them will return with
health impaired and some of them have
already answ cred to the last bugle call.
rhoy are worthy Of place in the ma
TONS roll of honor. Today the flags
ought to be displayed from every house
hold in the state in honor of these re-
turning heroes. From the pulpits of
Vermont tomorrow the highest tribute
should be paid to these Green Mountain
ads who are so soon to be "Back
Among the Old Folks Once Again"
This day in many Vermont home.
tcad will be the brightest for thirteen
ong weeks. On this day we should
Ilso remember the boys. who, since the
egimcnt left our commonwealth have
'een drafted beyond the silent river of
# death or who have been loft behind
n hospital camps.
Loudly let us shout our welcome
ome to the brave Green Mountain
oys.
Welcome! Welcome! bark the greeting
From the glad home voices come!
Words which echo In repeating
With the triumph speaking drum.
Welcome! Welcome! we have shrined you
In the temple of our heart.
And within it have entwfned you
Fadeless wreaths with subtle art.
Welcome! Welcome! God has kept Won
All these weary days bygone,
Enough OF comrades He bereft you
He but gathered home His own.