The Saturday after we arrived there, we marched down to Union hall about
11 o'clock in the morning, and took up position in front of the
orchestra. After the band of the Veteran Reserve Corps had discoursed
some of their sweetest music, we were addressed by T. B. Bryan, Esq.,
president of the Soldier's Home, and of the executive committee of the
great sanitary fair. Mr. Bryan said it was his privilege in the name of
the city and the sanitary fair, to welcome us most cordially and
sincerely. As he was to be followed by their distinguished commander,
there was no need for him to speak of our noble deeds. He wanted us,
however, to understand that the men and women of Chicago were equal to
those of any other city in earnest and hearty love for the soldier.
Whatever disaffected people might say to the contrary, we would find
that the women of this city, had toiled as no other women had ever
toiled, to sustain and cheer, to comfort and support, the soldier. If
regiments had at any time come here unnoticed and unknown, it had been
from no fault of theirs. He would now introduce to us our old and tried
commander, General Sherman. The announcement was received with great
applause, which increased as the General stepped to the front. General
Sherman then addressed us as follows:
"FELLOW SOLDIERS: I regret that it has fallen to my task to speak to
you, because I would rather that others should do what is most
common to them, and less so to me. But, my fellow soldiers, it gives
me pleasure to assure you that what the president of this fair has
told you just now, is true; that a hearty welcome awaits you
wherever you go. Many people think you want bread and meat, but your
faces and my knowledge tell me that you prefer the waving of
handkerchiefs and the applause of the people, to all the bread and
meat that fills the warehouses of Chicago (cheers). Those soldiers
who are now before me, know where bread and meat can and will be
found (laughter). All we ask, and all we have ever asked, is a
silent and generous acknowledgement of our services, when rendered
in the cause of our country. And fellow soldiers, when you get home
among those who will interest you more than any thing I can say,
just call back to mind where you were twelve months ago. You
remember Kenesaw Peak, and the Little Kenesaw. It is not a year
since you stormed them, and lost my old partner and friend, Dan.
McCook. That was on the 27th day of June, 1864. In June, 1865, you
stand in the midst of Chicago, surrounded by bright colors and
ladies and children. Then you were lying in the mud, the rocks and
the dirt, and you knew there was an enemy we had to fight with and
conquer, and we did not exactly know how to do it (laughter). But we
were patient; we reconnoitered; we watched their flanks; we studied
the ground, and in three days we had Johnston and his whole army,
pinned; he retired, and we did not give him a chance of stopping
until he had put the Chattahoochie between us and him. That is a
lesson for you. Temporary defeat is nothing when a man is determined
to succeed. You are not conquered, you never can be conquered when
the mind is clear and determined in its purpose; you must succeed,
no temporary defeat can cause failure. You all remember that on the
fourth of July we stood close to each other, and we told them then
that they would have to go farther than Atlanta, for we should
continue to go on (cheers). You will remember how their pickets told
us they had reinforcements. Yes, but what? They had one of our
corps—Schofield's (laughter). Before General Johnston knew, or
dreamed of it, I had reinforced his side of the Chattahoochie, by
Gen. Schofield's 23rd corps. From this, my fellow soldiers, I want
you to learn the lesson, no matter where you are, to-day or
to-morrow, by keeping a purpose close in your mind, in the end you
will succeed, whether it be in military, civil, social, or family
affairs. Let no difficulty appal you, let no check alarm you, let
your purpose in life be clear and steadfast, keep in view the object
and design of your life, and just as sure as you are now before me
in health and strength you will succeed. You are now returned to
your homes, and the task now allotted to you is that of the future.
The past is disposed of, it may soon be forgotten; but the future is
before you, and that future will be more glorious than the past.
Look at your own state of Illinois, look at the city of Chicago, it
is hardly as old as any of you, for twenty-five years ago a little
military garrison was here, a two company post, and now it is a city
of palaces, of streets, rail roads, etc. You, the men of a city
almost the second in the United States of America, are to assist in
directing the affairs of this country. You have the patience and
industry, and more than that, you have organization, discipline and
drill, and if I have been instrumental in teaching you this, in
maintaining discipline, order and good government in the army which
I have had the honor to command, I am contented; for on this system,
and on this high tone of honor which pervades your minds, must be
built the empire of America (loud cheers). I did not wish to address
you, but I believe there are no others here who desire to speak, and
therefore I ask you to accept what is given in heartiness, a full,
joyous welcome home to Chicago. I know it is genuine, for I myself
have experienced it. Feel you are at home, and that there are no
more rebels, no more raking fire, no more shot, but that you have
done with them forever. Good morning."
At the conclusion of the speech there was loud and long continued
cheering.
Colonel Langley replied as follows:
"I can assure you in behalf of the Illinois regiment before you,
that your welcome, the welcome of the people of Chicago and of the
people of the state of Illinois, is fully appreciated by these
soldiers now returned home. They have, to some extent, known the
good to be derived from such associations and organizations as the
sanitary commission, and I believe that no city in the union has
shown a deeper interest or more generous feeling toward the private
soldier in the ranks, than has the city of Chicago. It seemed to be
her chief purpose to secure to the soldier all those comforts so
essential to his recovery from a bed of sickness, and from wounds
received in battle, and the result of this kindness is that your
offerings sent out to them have always been duly appreciated, and
the heart has swelled with gratitude toward the kind and loyal
people who have remembered the soldier in his distress. It ill
befits me, who has been in the field for the last three years, to
make a speech, but in a blunt soldier way will speak of these brave
boys. This regiment now before you I have had the honor to command.
I have known the men composing it for a long time; they are the
sterling men of the country. My long acquaintance with them enables
me to say, that never were there braver soldiers sent into battle
against the enemy (cheers). Out of four Illinois regiments in the
3rd brigade, 2nd division, 14th army corps, they were one. They were
engaged first in the battle of Perryville in about three weeks after
entering the service. Then in the battle of Chickamauga; against
Mission Ridge, and again in the different skirmishes near Buzzard's
Roost Gap. And on the 27th of June, 1864, the time to which General
Sherman alluded, they made a deadly and fearful assault against the
enemy's works on Kenesaw Mountain, and failed, but they did not turn
their backs on the enemy and run. Instead of retreating, they took
to their spades, and, within sixty-two feet of the enemy, threw up
intrenchments, and from there, with their sharp-shooters, at last
drove out the enemy. Again at Jonesboro, they assaulted the same men
we failed to drive out at Kenesaw Mountain. They were driven out and
captured at Jonesboro, and thus secured the capture of Atlanta. They
have endured as much of marching, did as much campaigning, took as
many chickens, hams, and other things, as any regiment (laughter).
And they have been able to consume as much as any; for by casting
your eye over them, you will see that they are men of strength and
capable of devouring a good deal of South Carolina subsistence
(renewed laughter). Let me assure you that these men have a home
interest which will demand of them their earnest, sensible
attention, of which fact they need not be advised, and when they
return to their homes you will find many of them who did not claim
any particular high standing in society before, will rank now above
many who remained at home to preserve their morals (laughter). They
will go home and return to their former avocations in life, and
pursue them with an energy and industry proportioned to the love
they exemplified for the country they so long, so ably and so well
defended.
I assure you again that the cordial and sincere welcome which you
have tendered us, is heartily appreciated, and in behalf of the
regiment, I thank you, and all those who have aided in the kind
welcome extended to them."
The proceedings ended with three cheers for the regiment, and three for
General Sherman. We then marched to Bryan hall, after which we repaired
to the Soldier's Rest for dinner, and then marched back to camp
Douglass.