The story of the Thirty Eighth regiment of Massachusetts volunteers

by George Whitefield Powers

The procession continued through Main Street, toward the City Hall, passing many elegantly decorated residences, among which that of the Hon. J. M. S. Williams called forth praise from all observers. The City Hall was tastefully decorated with bunting. In the centre of the Main Street front was an architectural display, representing a Temple, consisting of an arch springing from pillars, on which were the figures of Victory and Peace. In the arch was the motto “Emancipation;” and the inscription, “The sun will never rise over a nation more glorious than ours.” The lower part of the temple was filled in with blue silk, on which, in letters of gold, was inscribed “One Country, one Constitution, one Destiny.” Across the street a line of flags and streamers was suspended.

The members of the City Government and invited guests here took up their places in the procession, which moved on toward the Universalist Church. At this point, clouds which for the past half hour had been gathering overhead, and which it had been hoped would pass over, and away, commenced to discharge their contents. Many of the spectators, who had thronged in the vicinity to witness the countermarch from Columbia to Magazine Street, sought refuge in the houses and stores, which were thrown open for shelter. With every minute the violence of the storm increased, drenching every one.

The children, representing the States, were taken for shelter into Williams Hall, but not before some of them were wet through; and thereby prevented from fulfilling their part of the programme of the exercises in the tent,—among which was to have been the delivery of a beautiful address to the veterans by Miss Nettie Blake. Mrs. Peters, under whose direction, and by whose patriotic labors, the design was so far carried out, was deprived of the reward of her labors in the successful consummation of her designs. She will doubtless feel compensated in part by the great applause her troops of pretty ones elicited on the route.

Although the rain poured in torrents, the procession moved on, and countermarched at Columbia Street up Main Street. Through Magazine Street passed the procession, the rain still pouring in torrents, until the head of it reached the tent. The rain gradually ceased, and before the procession commenced to file into the tent, the sun came forth in its splendor.

The procession marched around the tent, and entered it at the north end. Here the selected scholars were seated on raised seats on the west side, wet through, for the tent had been a poor shelter from the heavy rain which had fallen. As the veterans entered, they were received, as elsewhere, with shouts and songs of welcome. Plates were laid for fourteen hundred guests, and were speedily turned by that number.

The tent, notwithstanding the rain, presented a cheerful aspect to the wet and hungry guests. A large tablet presented on one side the list of twenty-two battles from Fort Sumter to Gettysburg. On the reverse, another list of twenty-two, from Fort Donaldson to Richmond. Along the sides, and at the end of the tent, were mottoes of welcome, and scrolls with the words, “Bisland”—“Cane River”—“Port Hudson”—“Opequan”—“Winchester”—“Fisher’s Hill,” and “Cedar Creek,” which recalled the deeds in arms of the gallant Thirty Eighth.

In obedience to the order of the Mayor, the regiment made an attack on the refreshment tables, and achieved a complete victory. The assembly was then called to order, and an eloquent address of welcome made by Mayor Merrill, which was appropriately responded to by Lieut.-Col. Richardson. Addresses were also made by ex-Governor Washburn, ex-Mayor Russell, and Gen. Hincks. But the volunteers, many of whom lived at a distance, were anxious to reach the homes where their presence was so eagerly awaited, and the majority took their leave as soon as the repast was ended. A display of fireworks in the evening closed the ceremonies of the day.

All honor to Cambridge, who never forgot her soldiers in the field, and who welcomed them home more warmly than she sent them away. Many whose citizenship is in other portions of the State will long remember her deeds, and rejoice at her prosperity.

Warm welcomes were extended to the men from New Bedford, Lynn, Abington, and other towns, upon their arrival home. Company E was tendered a public reception by the city authorities of Lynn, but declined the honor. Abington gave a fine reception to all her returned soldiers, including those belonging to the Thirty Eighth.

Four months have now passed since the members of the Thirty Eighth Massachusetts Regiment resumed their duties as citizens. They have settled in different portions of the country, and are engaged in all the various branches of civil industry; but not one has brought discredit upon the fair fame of the regiment, or proved that he is less capable of being a good citizen because he became a soldier at the call of the country.