Grand Reception of the 104th P. V.—A telegram

received here early in the evening of Friday last, corrobo-

rated by the information given by several of our townsmen

who arrived here from the city by the late train, conveyed

the joyful intelligence to many anxious friends and families

that this true and tried veteran corps would certainly leave

for home sometime during the ensuing day.  The long -

looked for news was gladly greeted by all classes of our pop-

ulace, and it was determined to meet them with a reception

worthy of their name and fame.  On the morning of Satur-

day, the ides of October were ushered with a dismal

dawning which gave but dreary promise for the day ; but

the occasion was one which no weather forebodings could

daunt, and our borough wore and appearance of joyful expect-

ancy.  At an early hour, groups of people were collected in

the public places of resort and upon the streets, congratulat-

ing each other upon the coming event, and wondering when

they might arrive.  At sun-rise a new and splendid flag was

flung out from Kulp’s hotel toward the depot, carrying upon

it in large letters the words “ Welcome Home, 104th!” 

Captain Taylor and Conductor Knight put up across Main

Street two very neat national ensigns.  From the store of

Bell and Riale a bright banner waved ; Brower’s large flag

was  flaunting to the breeze ; the magnificent banner of the

Union League waved its ample folds in beauty, with an ap-

propriate inscription; while the different party and office

flags in Court street were out gala array.  In various

other parts of the town streamers floated out in the autumnal

air ; gay pennons gleamed fort, and the rejoicings were both

universal and sincere.  Long ere the hour designated for the

arrival of the morning train our streets were filled with our

friends from the rural districts, matrons and maidens, the

aged and the young, who came farm wagons and on foot

to see our brave boy’s come home ; and bringing with them

well-filled baskets of provender, with many a bunch of fra-

gant flowers.  When at half-past ten the whistle announced

the coming cars, a large crowd had collected at the depot

who were disappointed at their coming; but upon the pla-

carding of bills that they would certainly be here during the

day, they met the disappointment cheerfully, while each

succeeding hour added to the number of strangers from the

surrounding neighborhood.  Meantime those to whom the

duties had been assigned of making proper arrangement

were actively exerting themselves, and each and all engaged

succeeded in a manner eliciting the highest need of praise. 

The Court room budded and bloomed out in a beauty that

had never graced it before ; an immense flag occupying the

the entire western portion of the hall, and bearing in its cen-

tre the words “ Welcome Home, brave Boys !” a splendid

basket of flowers pendant from chandelier in the centre

of the room, with small flags encircling it, with the lamps

around the Judges’ seats entwined with gorgeously tinted

autumnal leaves, with dahlias in profusion and roses luxu-

riant, with evergreens tastefully arranged ; the magnificent

vase of flowers over the platform—all combining to present a

display unrivalled, it was a display worthy of the gallant

corps and of the occasion it was intended to commemorate. 

The tables were loaded with every substantial and delicacy

which the reason affords, visible and palatable mementoes

of liberal contributors.  Surging southward to the depot, the

crowd who arrived in town during the afternoon became

very large, and heedless of a dismal, dreary rain awaited the

train due at five o’clock.  Again there was disappointment,

and upon the arrival of the cars at six p. m. it was authori-

tatively announced that the 104th would leave in the Beth-

lehem train, and reach here about eight.  This was at least

a brightening of hope deferred.  A crowded concourse in the

Court room patiently awaited them for hours.  A few min-

ues before nine in the evening the signal was given of their

coming, and as the locomotive neared the station they were

greeted with loud and prolonged applause, which was most

heartily returned by them.  The lateness of the hour, the

darkness of the night, and the heavy rain which was falling,

wisely determined those having the matter in charge to dis-

pense with all formal processions, and therefore, headed by

the committee of escort under the lead of Colonel Gilkyson,

the worn and wearied men were marched direct to the place

of reception.  Now, with the old time music playing, amid

the dense crowd who shout their warm welcome, they enter

the banquet hall, where there are smiles to greet the present

and sorrow for their honored dead ; wreaths for the living

heroes who come home, and cypress for the lamented dead

who have fought their last battle.  How those dear, fa-

miliar faces vibrate upon tearful eyes.  How proudly is the

gaze fixed upon that bright banner borne at their head, upon

whose untarnished folds gleam out in golden light such

heart-words of Spartan heroism as Fair Oaks, Antietam,

Malvern Hill and other fields of renown ; while the battle-

flag of the regiment, though torn and discolored, is still

borne aloft with no taint of dishonor.  Truly every heart, as

they file in, seems beating with pride for our brothers and

our blood.  The men were immediately marched to the

bountifully provided tables, where, for a few moments, they

remained standing, until order could be restored, which be-

ing partially effected through the exertions of Messrs.  (?il-

kyson and Wilkinson, on motion of one of the committee

three glorious cheers were given with a will for the noble

104th.  This was responded to by the soldiers with three

cheers in return for the hospitable reception they had met

with, three for Major Ed. L. Rogers, and three more for

Captain Harvey.

Richard Watson, Esq., who had been selected to make the

reception speech, them delivered a very neat and appropriate

address of welcome to the returned volunteers, in which he

very feelingly referred to a period three years agone, when,

in the same hall, swords were presented to the officers of the

Ringgold Regiment, now universally honored as the 104th ;

when the flag which they had carried in triumph since was

presented to them by the ladies of our town; and when

they had left their homes accompanied with the prayers

and tears of relatives and friends ; that since then we had

watched their course with the deepest interest and affection

as they had battled upon many a hardly contested field or

as they kept faithful watch and ward over our fort-

resses in the sunny South.  He referred to their thinned and

decimated ranks, and to their departed comrades who sleep

their last sleep in the land of rebellion, as well as those who

diseased or wounded, had returned but to die and be buried

in the land of their birth.  His remarks were warmly re-

ceived by both soldiers and civilians, and were greeted with

continued cheers.

Colonel Davis responded in an affecting written address,

in which he referred to the true patriotism, the faithful

devotion, the earnest self-sacrificing spirit of all his men,

whether fighting for the honor of their country upon the

field of battle, enduring long and tedious marches through

swamps and marshes, underneath burning suns and severe

storms, or working cheerfully as common laborers in ditches

and trenches.  H e adverted to the imperishable renown they

had achieved for themselves while in service, and that now,

in returning for their happy home and to resume the peace-

ful avocations of life, he earnestly implored them never to

mar by any act in the future the bright and glorious ac-

cord which now illuminates their past history.  He spoke in

fitting terms of the unnatural and infamous rebellion which

had instituted this terrible war, and of the speedily com-

ing, happy time when by the triumphant success of our

armies in the field, both the authors and abettors of it

would be consigned to that universal obloquy and contempt

which their infamy well deserved.  In conclusion, he bade

his comrades as affectionate farewell.  The entire address

was a well conveived tribute to the veteran soldiers of his

command, which they listened to with much emotion, and

received with rapturous applause.

Formalities being ended, realities commenced in earnest by

a most desperate and fearful onslaught upon the right wing of

substantials and the left wing of delicacies upon the tables,

which had been silently awaiting the attack, and in which the

soldiers, though manfully holding their own, would never

have been victorious, had not their satisfied appetites been

aided by the rear guard of voracious outsiders, who volun-

tarily calling themselves to the rescue, rendered the de-

motion of all the eatables complete.

A handsomely printed welcome to the regiment on its

return, written by a talented young lady of our town, was

presented to each of the soldiers, and was warmly greeted

by them.  A general interchange of social courtesies and

renewal of former acquaintanceships, together with the pre-

sentation of numerous bouquets to favored ones, then took

place, after which Colonel Gilkyson, Master of Ceremonies,

declared the reception adjourned.  Thus ended this grand

ovation to our honored volunteers, most deserving to them,

most creditable to the committee in charge of it, and reflect-

ing the highest honor upon all concerned in its truly success-

ful accomplishment.

It is to be regretted that an attempt was made to mar

the harmony of the occasion by an inebriated Irishmen,

who, with a few others of like ilk, proposed cheers for

McClellan.  This outrage was promptly resented by such

and overwhelming storm of hisses as to effectually silence that

peace-platform battery.

A sorrowful mishap occurred  to one of the men, named

Larry McCullough, of Company E, while the regiment were

awaiting the train at Lansdale.  The night was very dark,

and he fell from the platform, dislocating his shoulder-

blade.  The sufferer was conveyed to Kulp’s hotel, where

he still remains, doing quite well under the professional

care of Dr. G. R. McCoy.

As the procession was passing up Main street, at Demo-

cratic head-quarters, an abortive attempt was made to

cheer, which resulted in an entire failure ; but as they passed

the Union League Rooms they greeted the flag with most

enthusiastic cheers.  The Democrat displayed what it

doubtless thought a tempting bait from the window, in the

shape of a picture purporting to represent the war-peace

candidate, which was received with groans and derision.