A very few minutes after, we piled into a tug and steamed away. Little was said, for there was a feeling of real regret: we were fond of the old boat, after all.
"Patt," the gunner's mate; the marines, and the few men of the engineer force who stayed on board, waved good-by.
We boarded a special train with the crew and officers of the "Nahant," and were soon speeding over the level country towards New York.
After a very fast trip we reached Jersey City, where we were fitted out with rifles and belts, and were met by the band that was to lead us through the city.
MARCHING THROUGH CITY HALL PARK, NEW YORK CITY (page 295).
The people of New York turned out to give us a rousing welcome.
It was a welcome we shall never forget—a welcome that made us forget all hardships, all dangers. Whatever pride we may have had in our achievements was drowned in that thunderous greeting; we were humbled, for real heroes could hardly have deserved such a reception.
The Mayor stood in front of the City Hall and reviewed us, and later we were reviewed by the President himself, at Madison Square.