The following paragraphs from Cleveland newspapers of the time will be of interest in this connection:
[Leader, July 30, 1861.]
The returned soldiers all look well and in excellent condition physically, although they are as brown as berries from exposure.
Among the artillerymen who yesterday returned from the campaign in Western Virginia were three members of Alert Hose Company—William Kidd, foreman; Albert Smith, assistant foreman, and Private E. S. Ransom. Of course, the social and genial Alerts could not let them return without a welcome, so last night a merry party of Alerts and a few invited guests assembled in the elegant hall of the hose-house to celebrate the event over a splendid supper. Toasts, speeches and songs followed. Finally, the hose-carriage was illuminated and the company escorted the returned members to their homes, the blaze of innumerable roman candles lighting their way up Superior street.
[Plain Dealer, July 30, 1861.]
The returned artillerymen are the heroes of the day. If you find a knot of men collected on a corner, the bronzed countenance of a member of the artillery is in the center and he is relating to the gaping crowd his exploits and adventures among the rebels in Western Virginia. It will be some time before their stock of incidents is exhausted; and years hence the story may be rehearsed to wondering grandchildren. They have come home after nobly discharging their duty and meet with the warm admiration and approval which they have so richly merited. All honor to the brave artillerymen.
At a meeting of the Cleveland City Council, held on the evening of July 30th, the following preamble and resolutions, offered by Councilman T. N. Bond, were adopted with great enthusiasm:
Whereas, At the request of the Governor of Ohio the Cleveland Artillery, embracing four companies from the city, one from Brooklyn and one from Geneva, under the command of Colonel James Barnett, left their homes and business on the 22d day of April, 1861, on a day’s notice, to perform such duty in the defense of the Government as might be required of them, and
Whereas, After gaining the confidence and approbation of the people on our southeastern border, by their fine conduct both as soldiers and citizens, they rendered most important services to the country in the campaigns in Western Virginia, distinguishing themselves for activity, discipline and bravery in their laborious night marches, and in the battles at Philippi, Belington and Carrick’s Ford, and have now returned after more than three months’ absence, with trophies of their victories and the well-deserved approbation of their fellow citizens; therefore be it
Resolved, That in addition to the public and spontaneous welcome already given them at their reception yesterday, the mayor and city council of the city, and in behalf of the city, hereby officially record their high appreciation of the honor the Cleveland Artillery and its noble commander have reflected upon the city whose name they bear; that their self-denial, good conduct and energy and their skill and bravery in the field have won for them unfading honor; and that especially to Colonel Barnett, for his coolness and judgment, his manly and soldierly bearing under all vicissitudes, our thanks are richly due and are hereby tendered.