According to the report above alluded to, the regiment at that time numbered one hundred and sixty-six enlisted men. On this day the regiment was formally received by the State and city authorities. Escorted by the Cadets, it marched through the principal streets of the city. Dinner was served at the American House, to which all, both men and officers, were made welcome. Governor Andrew was present at the dinner, and made a most pleasing address. Speeches were also made by Colonels Pierce and Barnes, and by Captains Clarke and Leach. The command was dismissed at the close of the day, and the men, weary with the formalities of a public reception, went to their several homes, there to be received in a manner that more keenly touched their hearts; for there they were to be greeted by those who loved them, had a deep personal interest in their welfare, and who had waited and watched for them for nearly three long, weary years.
On the evening of the 19th of April, a reception levee was given to the members of the Bay State Guards, in the City Hall of Charlestown. The hall was elaborately decorated for the occasion, and fine music enlivened the guests. His Excellency Governor Andrew, and His Honor Mayor Stone, were present, and both made speeches to the veterans, welcoming them to their homes and the festivities of the evening. The levee ended with dancing and a collation.
Company C of East Bridgewater was also accorded a public reception soon after its return. The good people of Plymouth and Sandwich paid similar honors to their returning soldiers; but there was mingled with all these receptions and kind greetings, much that tended to repress joy and gladness. The war-cloud still hovered over the land, darkening every hearth and every home. Even while the furloughed soldiers were listening to the strains of welcoming music, the booming of Grant’s cannon in the Wilderness was heard, and the knowledge that their own comrades, so unjustly separated from them, were fighting there, tinged all their enjoyment with sorrow, and filled them with troublesome apprehensions.
THE TRANSFERRED MEN IN THE THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT--THEY MARCH OVER THE CUMBERLAND MOUNTAINS--GO WITH THE NINTH CORPS TO ANNAPOLIS, MD.--THE CORPS ORDERED TO THE FRONT--MARCH THROUGH WASHINGTON--BATTLES OF THE WILDERNESS AND SPOTTSYLVANIA--A LIST OF THE KILLED--THE TRANSFERRED MEN SENT HOME--THEY MEET THEIR BROTHERS OF THE TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT IN WASHINGTON--THE REGIMENT AGAIN IN THE FIELD--ASSIGNED TO THE FIFTH CORPS--BATTLE OF BETHESDA CHURCH--A SURPRISE AND NARROW ESCAPE--RE-ASSIGNED TO THE NINTH CORPS--BATTLE OF SHADY GROVE CHURCH--TO THE JAMES--A LONG MARCH--BATTLE OF JUNE SEVENTEENTH--TRAGIC DEATH OF THE THREE COLOR-BEARERS--THE FLAG RESCUED--THE DEAD AND WOUNDED.