The parade passed through the principal streets of the city, and was made up as follows: Colonel Samuel A. Johnson, chief marshal, and staff; Salem Cadet Band; Second Corps Cadets, M. V. M.; Phil H. Sheridan Post 34, G. A. R.; Army and Navy League; Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Merritt Camp, Sons of Veterans; carriages containing disabled members of the G. A. R., and Mayor Turner and members of the city government; National Guards Band; Salem Light Infantry Veteran Association; Company H, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.; Salem Brass Band; Salem Letter Carriers and Postal clerks; Salem Fire Department; Salem Veteran Firemen's Association; Salem Drum Corps; Father Mathews Total Abstinence Society; St. Joseph's Benefit Society; street department drivers, mounted.
In the evening the Salem Light Infantry Veteran Association tendered a banquet to the volunteers in the armory at the Franklin building. Captain John P. Reynolds acted as toastmaster, and a number of distinguished citizens and military guests responded to the toasts.
The West Peabody Brass Band, Ward Post 90, G. A. R. and ex-members of Company K, were found waiting at the depot by the members of Company K of Danvers, when they stepped from the train. Line was immediately formed and through a lane of red fire and cheering citizens, the company marched to the armory, partook of a lunch and then separated for their homes.
On April 11 the town officially received her sons back from the Spanish war with a parade, reception and banquet. The parade formed in the following order: Chief Marshal F. U. French and staff; cavalcade of citizens; West Peabody Brass Band; Ward Post 90, G. A. R.; carriages containing the selectmen and guests; Company K, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.; ex-members of Company K and citizens; school children.
After the parade a reception was in progress at the Town Hall for two hours, after which the line was re-formed and the party proceeded to the armory, where a fine banquet was served, followed by speeches from prominent townspeople and guests, M. C. Pettengill acting as presiding officer.
Mayor Eaton went to Boston, met the members of Company L, and telephoned word back to Lawrence that the company was coming home. The fire alarm was immediately blown and as at the other places, the company was met by a big crowd at the depot, and a procession to escort it to its armory. Battery C, M. V. M. fired a salute as the train rolled into the station. The parade formed in the following order: Colonel Donovan, chief marshal; band; Battery C, M. V. M.; Company F, Ninth Infantry, M. V. M.; Colonel Sargeant camp, Sons of Veterans; band; Needham Post 39, G. A. R.; drum corps; seven fire companies; Gratton Guards; citizens committee; Company L, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.; city government and citizens in carriages. The parade marched directly to the armory, where the volunteers were dismissed.
Through a misunderstanding on the part of somebody, there was no one to welcome home the members of Company M, at Somerville, and when they arrived at the armory they found the place locked and deserted. Finally the police were secured and the doors forced open and the command marched inside. After giving three cheers for the city and the company, the men were dismissed.
Somerville citizens more than made up for the lack of cordiality on the night of the return home, by the enthusiastic reception they gave the company and other Somerville volunteers at the official welcome home which took place on April 19. The principal part of the day's programme was a big parade, which moved through the principal streets, packed with cheering people, in the following order: Chief Marshal, F. DeWitt Lapham and staff; platoon of 20 members of the National Lancers, M. V. M.; First Regiment Band; company of letter carriers; Bunker Hill Cadet Band; Bunker Hill Guards, Division 37, A. O. H.; Davitt Guards, Division 40, A. O. H.; Knights of Sacred Heart Drum Corps; Knights of Sacred Heart; Somerville Veteran Firemen's Association; T. F. Meagher Drum Corps; W. C. Kingsley Post 139, G. A. R.; Company M, Eighth Massachusetts Infantry, U. S. V.; unattached soldiers and sailors; carriages containing city officials and guests.
Following the parade, the company and invited guests were given light refreshments at Bow Street hall, after which many speeches were made, Alderman Wilson acting as presiding officer.
In the evening, at 6 o'clock, the company was banquetted in Beacon hall, where plates were spread for a large gathering. After the banquet had been enjoyed, Alderman Wilson, who again acted as chairman, rapped for order and speeches followed by prominent city officials and guests.