Year: 1864

the course of the peace men of tn,
North. They would have us repudiat,
the debts we owe TO the families of sol
diers, to recant pledges, and break VOWS
He knew the soldiers were not in favor
of this None but the Copperheads o.
the North would speak of such a thing


Col. j. 7. Smith, on behalf of the reg,
iment, acknowledged the reception and
welcome He said the time was when
those who were inclined to enter the
army would rather 60 from any other
State than Indiana, but JEFF. Davis Sian
der had been turned againet him by
these Indianians, and they were nov
proud to be known as Indiana soldiers.
The regiment appreciated the reception
given by the Governor, the Mayor and
the citizens of Indianapolis; for if there
is anything soldier loves, it is to be
complimented by Gov Morton and well
coined by the ladies'. This regiment had
been reduced from l,046 to about 800 by
battle, disease, &C., but was now as
strong in battle as ever. 1t had never
met enough rebels to defeat it; it will
never be defeated. Enthusiastic cheer
ing-)


Lieut. Colonel Neff, a lifelong and
earnest-working Democrat from Sulli-
van County, also spoke eloquently of
their welcome, of the noble State they
were proud to call home, &c. He said
Indiana goes out of and above all State
lines in her support of the war. He
compared the present bright sky with the
dark hours of year ago, when men
high in power and in public confidence
talked of recognition of the Confederacy
as something quite probable-when Eu-
rope threatened us, and when Union
men fsltered. But the Army of the
Cumberland resolved to stand by the
Union, the Army of the Potomac fol-
lowed, the Union sentiment gained
strength, and now he who hints at rec
ognition is Justly denominated traitor.


Col. Neff said twas pleasure to fight
rebels, There was a soldier in the regi-
ment who was sick at Chicamauga, but
being determined to take a part in the
fight, was carried to the field in an am
buiance, resting on pillows, He fought
for two days, and was well enough to
walk to the camp. He lacked three
days of beiug old enough to be veter-
an, but he had declared his intention to
re-enlist and therefore came home with
the regiment. Cheer upon cheer fol-
lowed, with cries Of let us see him, I"
but the gallant boy was resting at the
Home.


Gen. Noble also spoke briefly, uniting
his welcome with that of those who had
preceded him. He wished to point out
clearly the duty that now devolved upon
the regiment. He wanted to see the or
ganization maintained, and said it could
not be done unless the ranks were filed
He appealed to every man in the regi-
ment to labor for this object He spoke
encouragingly of the prospect of speedy
termination of the war, instancing the
great changes in the front of the rebel
lion, the vast area of territory we have
taken from it, as an evidence that the
CenfedeFacy is getting weak Another
vigorous campaign, and the regiments
may be able to come back, to return to
war no more. He promised the regi-
ment all the assistance he could give in
getting ready for the spring campaign.


The remarks of General Noble were
received with demonstrations of satisfac-
ton by all. General Hovey then closed
the speaking exercises in few stirring
remarks He told the audience that he
was emphatically radical on all the is
sues of the day He is not to be hood
winked with party names He said the
peace party was composed of towards,
stingy men and traitors These men
have said that the soldiers will be with
them when they come home, but they are
slightly mistaken. Soldiers think more
of their country, their wives and fami-
lies, than of party. He said radicalism
comes from being in the front, and this
would make radicals out of ninety-nine
of every hundred men-even Copper