Connecticut western news., 1912-03-28
SECOND HEAvIES AT HOME
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 as the Second Connecticut Volunteers Heavy Artillery. Those of the original 18th Regiment, what was left of them. were mustered out July 2, '65, and as said, numbered less than two hundred. The balance of the Heavies were muster ed out August IS, '65,
 We wended our way to the boat and started up the East River for New Haven, and you bet that we enjoyed the ride up the Sound, past Bridgeport, and we were proud to be of the number that had been away from our native state three years, that helped to raise the old flag to the mast head and taught traitors that It cost lots of lives and treasure to tear it down. and that now we were re. ! turning to our homes, to peacefully en- joy the fruits of our labor. Snlt we could not forget the many that went out with us, that have not come back that we have left all that remains of them, to moulder under Southern sun, until the last buRle sound shall call them up.
 It is now growing twilight and out minds are quietly wandering across the old state to our homes, to our friends way up in old Litchfeld County and while you know that they are waiting, waiting for you. and thet houghts won't down, that there are so many that went out with you three years ago as patriotic, as light hearted, as brave, whose friends will meet you at the landing, eagerly questioning, "What of my boy, who went out with you? have you any message from him for hs Did he die in the thick of the fight? Have you no word for usS'' You know you have got to meet them aud must give some. satisfactory answer, and it will mar much of your own happiness at such meeting. "Com- rade. why are you weeping?" We can forgive you, You have been living in the past {; past, that will not down {; you knew that it was not your fault that you had to leave them. Eternity only will reveal all the sorrows of that war. We reached New Haven at eight o'clock the evening of July 10, 1865, and march. ed up to the State House (for you know Connecticut had two state houses then) led by the New Haven Grays, amid welcoming crowds of people fireworks, ringing of bells, etc, and you were well oomed to & bounteous collation. that fitted your appetites to a T, for you had long been stranger to such luxuries.
 After this welcome you were marched over to Grapevine Point. to the Military Barracks for your first night in Connect icut. The vigorous discipline was re. faxed so that you could sleep at "taps.p or not at all, and many did not know whether they slept at all. ,,
 The 11th was 6 fine day. We were told that we would not get oar dis charges for several days that If you wished to go home you could, but come back in few days and get your pay and discharge. Most of you preferred to stay there. get your pay and bay new citizens clothes and TO home full-fiedFed citizens. The time dragged slowly until Saturday the 18th of July, when you signed pay roll. and was paid in fufk and given an hoporable discharge from the U. 8. service, but too late to go home, so you had to stay over sunday--not in any barracks, but in the best hotel. Train service out of New Haven to Litchfield County was not As good as now. We left there at 9:45 a. m., for Canaan via. Bridgeport, and there took the Housatonic train for home. The boys got seated and said, "Go ahead" Some of the boys were quite hilarious. ''Ross" Root fell into seat and called out to me, saying;
 Roberts, when we get up to Falls Will lage throw me off." When we reached New Milford you found friends to meet some of you and so along up at each station to Canaan, where we found friends with teams to take the boys to their homes No Central New England Railroad then, SO East Canaan and Nor folk boys were met by teams, or stage, for Stevenss stage was the only public conveyance from Canaan to Winsted. and you were back home hardly know ing what to do with yourselves. But you managed to put up with matters but three years had changed things some what. You had to answer great many questions.
 This practically ends my reminis- cences. though | may add an appendix at later day and thank the readers for their patience.