Original Newspaper Articles - cont.

The interest awakened by the departure of the 22d Regiment was not confined to our own city and State. The progress southward of this noble body of Massachusetts troops kindled the liveliest anticipations along the route, and people as far south as New Jersey looked forward with patriotic pleasure to the arrival of the regiment, and on its passage accorded it such an ovation as we fain would believe none but the Bay State boys can call forth.

The regiment arrived at Springfield at five minutes past ten Tuesday night, and were welcomed by the cheers of an immense concourse of people, whose generous shouts were heard above the harsh notes of the calliope. The city authorities were not l;ess thoughtful for the comfort of the troops than had been our own municipal government before they left, and upon the arrival of the train, men with pails of hot coffee and baskets of food passed through the cars, dispensing the hospitalities of the city to the soldiers.

The officers and invited guests took supper at the Massasoit House, a telegraph dispatch having apprised the proprietor of our needs. While discussing this late meal, Col. Wilson was waited upon by ex-Lieut. Gov. Trask, who introduced Mayor Bemis of Springfield. Col. Wilson, notwithstanding the delay in attending his progress, was persuaded, much against his inclination, to address the multitude in front of the hotel. He was presented to the crowd by Mayor Bemis.

He spoke under great exhaustion. He responded to their call before leaving for another field of duty at the head of the gallant regiment, which, though at present untutored in the school of the soldier, hoped that few weeks hence will find them competent to perform any duty which they may be called upon to do. Referring to the harmony which exists in the country on the great question at issue, he said that politics and ambition had been laid aside, and the men of Massachusetts were unanimous for the Union. The country needed to-day more than one hundred thousand troops in addition to those already in the field. You are raising a regiment in Western Massachusetts, and let not many days go by before that regiment is full and on the march. We want Massachusetts to do all her share, but as in the days of the Revolution, we expect her to do more than her share. The contest now is as holy as that in which our forefathers engaged. We who enjoy the blessings of Republican institutions must be ready with even their lives to maintain the cause of civil liberty, and to uphold the government. In conclusion, Col. Wilson thanked the city authorities for their kindness to the soldiers of Massachusetts, of whose conduct he trusted the people of Massachusetts would not be ashamed. They knew their duty and would perform it, and by the blessing of the Almighty, the rebellion shall be put down.

The remarks of Col. Wilson were applauded vociferously, and after a stay of about an hour the train bore the regiment across the boundaries of the State, the farewell shouts of the people lingering long upon the ears of her departing soldiers.

The train now passed on to the Hartford and New Haven Railroad, and Mr. Conductor Russell, of the Western road, resigned his charge to E. M. Reed, Esq., the Superintendent of the former road. President Twichell, the veteran railway manager, whose post is where danger lied, divided his responsibility with his brother officer, and maintained his position on the engine throughout the night, nor left it till the regiment was safe in New York.

Into the darkness plunged the train, roaring and screaming like a very demon, winding its tortuous course through the quiet, slumbering villages of Connecticut. But through the one-half world was metaphorically asleep, a good portion of the other half, sleeping with one eye open and their lamps trimmed and burning, started from their beds as the shrieks of the brazen steam-organ echoed along the revines and over the hills, announcing the coming, and rushed forth in every variety of fulfillment to say "Go on, brave boys," to the Massachusetts soldiers. Scarce a half hour passed during the night but we encountered some fresh evidence of the great uprising of the people. Light flickered in the dwellings of the rich and the lowly, and as the train swept past, spectral forms appeared in the thick brooding darkness. At Hartford, New Haven, and Meriden the train was detained from various causes, and at each of those places, though it was long after midnight when we stopped in the later town, the depots were filled with people, who cheered loudly the Massachusetts boys, and gave them to eat and drink. At every village through which the train passed the Calliopean performer, whose name I did not learn, treated the burghers to a serenade, with national airs, and "Glory, Hallelujah," in the most exalted strains of the muse. The calliope was an object of wonder and amazement to thousands who had never heard one before, and who hovered around the instrument Yankee like, intent upon solving the origin of the mysterious music. Men called it a "big thing," and the ladies exhausted all the adjectives in their vocabulary in praise of the beautiful locomotive of the Boston and Worcester Railroad.

A most lovely morning dawned at length upon the leaden eyelids of nearly twelve hundred weary mortals upon whom Nature’s sweet restorer had persistently refused to shed her influence. As we approached New York, the people at the stations increased in numbers, and the shouts of greeting welling up from patriotic hearts were borne on the wings of morning from the workshop and the farm, the highways and the bridges, while the fluttering white and tri-colored signals of welcome attested the depth of women’s devotion to the glorious cause of the Union.

The train reached New York at half-past 10 o’clock Wednesday morning, after a passage of nearly eighteen hours from Boston. Col. Wilson and staff, and the guests accompanying the regiment, were received by Assistant Quartermaster Frank Howe, and invited to breakfast at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, to which they repaired at once. The troops were provided with a breakfast in the milk depot of the Harlem Railroad Company, consisting of hot coffee and bread, and a hot beef pottage, which proved most acceptable to the men. Capt. Follett, with his battery, arrived in New York the day previous, and was quartered in the vacinity, having received every attention from the State agent.

The regiment was expected to arrive at 4 o’clock in the morning, and arrangement to that end were made, including a welcome breakfast given by the Sons of Massachusetts at 8 o’clock. It was, however, nearly half-past 10 when the doors of the large dining hall of the Fifth Avenue were thrown open and the Sons of Massachusetts and a number of distinguished guests, headed by Mr. Rich’d Warren, the master of ceremonies, marched to the music of Dodworth’s Band and took seats at the tables. A few minutes later the officers of the Twenty-second, the field and staff, Captains of companies, Capt. Follett and his Lieutenants, were finally announced, and welcomed in the most cordial manner. Finally, Col. Wilson and Col. Howe entered, when the company rose and received the distinguished Senator with cheers and applause.

Col. Howe presided, and on his right were seated His Excellency Gov. Morgan of New York, Brigadier General Arthur, Col. Van Buren, Adjutant General Schouler of Mass., Gen. Hiram Walbridge and Hon. George Bancroft; and on his left Rev. John Pierpont, Chaplain, Gen. Anthon of the staff of Gov. Morgan, Cols. Shephard and Lefferts, Rev. Dr. Bellows, Thurlow Weed and Messrs Sleeper, Ritchie, Schute and others of the Executive Council of Massachusetts. At the side table were seated ten members of the Committee of the Sons of Connecticut, and along the opposite table were scattered the officers of the 22d regiment. The press of New York was ably represented in the persons of the reporters for the leading journals. The occasion was graced with the presence of a number of the daughters of Massachusetts and New York.

The venerable chaplain of the regiment invoked the divine blessing upon the ceremonies, which proceeded with the discussion of the repast. This having been done, Col. Howe addressed the company in terms complimentary to Massachusetts, Col. Wilson and the 22d regiment, and closed by introducing Rev. Dr. Bellows.

Dr. Bellows, in welcoming the regiment, said that the sons of Massachusetts in New York, had always felt a pride in her past history, and with which they had claimed the sacred soil of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill as their own. But the present history of the commonwealth bid fair to eclipse the past. Massachusetts was at last comprehended; not always understood, but understood now. At the head and front of this controversy, she knows well what she is contending for, and what she is called upon to do. Addressing Col. Wilson, he said, we know how well you have borne yourself in this struggle, and we are willing to trust Massachusetts men to your command, confident that though they may bring back scars from the battle field, they will not receive them in the back. Accounting for the delay in the regiment, Dr. Bellows said we could not bring one hundred tons of Massachusetts grit without some being a little behind. They had not time to praise him and his noble command. They had heard that after Massachusetts had sent all her troops she was coming herself, and here she is. As for sharpshooters, they were at a loss to know where, in a State so densely populous, the men could find a spot to practice at long range without penetrating a school-house or the heart of a brave man or beautiful woman, unless they shot at swallows up the chimneys of their forges. He was glad to see Colonel Wilson so well manned and so well armed. He knew the venerable chaplain of the regiment, who was able to sing the songs of peace and war with equal success. In conclusion he bid the regiment go on and reclaim the country from the bondage of rebellion. He bid them welcome in the name of the Sons of Massachusetts, and he bid them farewell. His remarks were eloquent and his manner animated, and the company interrupted him with frequency applause. Lieutenant Colonel Howe called for three cheers for Colonel Wilson, which were given with a will.

Lieut. McKay, Co. G, 22d regiment, arrived here last night with the dead body of Wm. T. Noyes of the same company, drowned at Amboy. He left for Boston with the body of Noyes, at 8 o’clock this morning.

The accident to a Member of the 22d Regiment. We learned from a gentleman who left New York yesterday morning that on Thursday evening he visited Bellevue Hospital, for the purpose of seeing Elroy Champion, of Company A, Capt. Sampson, who was injured at Harlem Bridge, as stated in The Journal Thursday, and that he found the injured soldier receiving the best of treatment and every attention his case required. Mr. Champion was quite comfortable, entirely out of danger, and his attending physician expressed the opinion that he would be able, on Monday next, to proceed to Washington and rejoin his regiment.

Washington, Oct. 12

Perley.

Lieut. McKay, Co. G, 22d regiment, arrived here last night with the dead body of Wm. T. Noyes of the same company, drowned at Amboy. He left for Boston with the body of Noyes, at 8 o’clock this morning.

The accident to a Member of the 22d Regiment. We learned from a gentleman who left New York yesterday morning that on Thursday evening he visited Bellevue Hospital, for the purpose of seeing Elroy Champion, of Company A, Capt. Sampson, who was injured at Harlem Bridge, as stated in The Journal Thursday, and that he found the injured soldier receiving the best of treatment and every attention his case required. Mr. Champion was quite comfortable, entirely out of danger, and his attending physician expressed the opinion that he would be able, on Monday next, to proceed to Washington and rejoin his regiment.