On April 13th, however, Lynn people officially received the companies in a manner which will not soon be forgotten. The city was bedecked with bunting, and thousands crowded the streets through which the parade passed, and cheered to the echo the returned war veterans. The parade was formed in the following order: General Charles C. Frye, chief marshal, and staff; Lynn Brass Band; General Lander Post, No. 5, G. A. R.; Lieutenant-Colonel Mudge Camp, Sons of Veterans; Lynn Light Infantry Veteran Association; Wooldredge Cadet Veterans; Lynn Cadet Band; English High School Battalion; Classical High School Battalion; carriages containing Mayor Shepard, and members of the city government; Eighth Massachusetts Infantry; U. S. V. Band; Company I, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.; Company D, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.; Veterans of Company E, Massachusetts Naval Brigade; Veterans of the Spanish War. A banquet at the State Armory followed, at which time 800 plates were laid and Mayor Shepard acted as toastmaster, and speeches were made by many prominent people, both in military and civil life.
Mayor Benjamin D. Webber, of Beverly, went to Boston as soon as he heard that the Transport Meade was in, and together with other prominent citizens went down the harbor to welcome the members of Company E. A specially chartered tug was used. Learning that the company was to come home that night, he telephoned to Beverly the fact, and upon the arrival of Company E at the station, a large gathering of people was on hand and welcomed the command with three rousing cheers. A parade was formed, consisting of a Drum Corps, Post 89, G. A. R., and John Low Camp, Sons of Veterans, and the line of march taken up for the armory, where there were short speeches, followed by a collation.
The official celebration in honor of the return of the volunteers took place on April 11th, when a parade was formed in the following order: Captain W. E. Perry, chief marshal, and staff; Beverly Cadet Band; John H. Chipman Post, 89, G. A. R.; John Low Camp, Sons of Veterans; Preston Post, 188, G. A. R; Charles Haddock Camp, Sons of Veterans; barouches containing disabled Civil War veterans and Mayor Webber and members of the city government; Lynn Brass Band; Company E, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.; Beverly fire department, apparatus and men; Bass River Lodge, I. O. O. F.; letter carriers; Excelsior Drum Corps; Golden Star Council, O. U. A. M.; Young Men's Catholic Temperance Society; Ancient Order of Hibernians; Bass River Court of Forresters; carriages containing members of Roger Conant Council, Royal Arcanum, and Beverly Lodge, Knights of Pythias; four-horse drag with members of Jubilee Yacht Club; carriages containing citizens.