The term of
service of this Veteran Regiment having expired, it
returned home in September to be mustered out of service.
The Schuylkill County members reached Pottsville on the
26th, and as their arrival was unexpected, they met an
impromptu but spirited reception. Early in the evening
Centre street throughout its entire length, was
beautifully illuminated, and when the train arrived,
rockets, roman candles, etc, added beauty to the scene.
The Regiment was escorted from the Depot to the Union
Hotel, by cavalry stationed here, by our fire companies,
and by one of the largest processions of citizens we ever
witnessed here. The veterans marched up amid enthusiastic
cheers of welcome and the waving myriads of handkerchiefs
in the hands of fair ladies. The scene was most inspiring
and beautiful. A citizen of thirty-three years residence
here, said to us, "The town has often been in a blaze of
enthusiasm, but really, this is the most extensive
conflagration with the people's hearts for fuel, that I
ever saw here." Pottsville, indeed, representing
Schuylkill County, welcomed with her whole soul, our
brave boys back from their three years of honorable
service in the cause of truth, justice and human
rights.
The Regiment came
back with one hundred and twenty men. Three years before
it left Pottsville a thousand strong. The bullet and
disease had done their work, and many who left here in
full health and vigor, fill graves in Virginia and on our
hills.
When the Regiment
reached the Union Hotel, it partook of a collation
hastily prepared, but still acceptable to the tired
soldiers, when they were welcomed home by the Hon. C. W.
Pitman, in a brief but eloquent speech. The soldiers then
sought "home, sweet home;" doubly appreciated by him who
has seen three years of hard service in the
field.
Addresses to the
large crowd of citizens that remained, were subsequently
delivered by Mr. C. A. Bosbyshell, Wm. Garrett and
Professor Dunbar.
During the
following week discharged Veterans of the Forty-Eighth
Regiment and Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, to the number
of about a hundred, reached Schuylkill County, and met an
equally spirited welcome home.
Early in November,
the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth Regiment, Col. James
Nagle, and Lambert's Independent Cavalry - one hundred
days' men - were mustered out of the service, and the
members returned home.
Source:
Bannan, Benjamin. Memorial of the Patriotism of
Schuylkill County in the American Slaveholder's
Rebellion. Pottsville, PA, 1865.