On the 2nd of June, we reached White house landing, and went aboard the transport George Weems at 10 a. m. on the 3rd, and at 12 m. with three hearty cheers, started northward, and landed at Washington, D. C. on the 4th, at 4 o'clock p. m.
On Sunday 5th at 11:30 a. m. we left the National Capitol, and on the 6th arrived at Harrisburg, Pa. the Capitol of our native State.
We were the recipients of a Royal welcome when we disembarked at Harrisburg, but the joyous greeting can only be measured by the deep sorrow of many who received not back their loved ones.
Three years before we as a Division of State troops, had gone forth fully 15.000 strong, and now we were merely a hand-full, then, full of life and buoyancy, now, war-worn and battle-scarred veterans.
We proceeded to Philadelphia, and were finally mustered out of the service, on the 13th of June 1864.
Company K. as a body returned to our native town (Gettysburg,) where a Banquet welcome, had been prepared for us, but owing to the fact that it was deferred untill evening, only a few remained to partake of the bounteous banquet, preferring the more humble spread that awaited them, in the homes where loved ones surrounded the board.
Of the 110 who had gone forth, three years before, only 24 now returned.
Some sleep peacefully in the unmarked graves of the south-land; no tender hand wreaths flowers over these unknown graves, but the gentle zephyrs chant requiems continually, and around them the wild flowers bloom more beautiful and fragrant, because the soil was enriched by their blood. Others after a manly struggle for life, yielded to disability from wounds and disease.
We cherish the memory of our fallen comrades, and as one by one we are summoned to join the great majority, we hope to meet them again, and to stand side by side, in nobler array, with the brave and true and tried who were our comrades here, and who so well performed their work on the battle-fields of this life.
And when the trumpet shall be heard, not calling to fields of conflict, but to rewards for deeds well done, may we all be found sharing the victory won by Him, "who died that we might live."