At 9.15 that evening, the Springfield part of the crew arrived home and were given an enthusiastic welcome in which red fire and fireworks played a prominent part. At the armory the men were greeted by glad relatives and soon dispersed to their homes plain naval militiamen once more after doing their full duty to Uncle Sam and serving him well.
Lieut. H. S Crossman, who went out with the Prairie detail remained on the ship until she was ordered south, when he and some of the other officers were sent out on special duty. He was assigned to duty as recruiting officer on the Minnesota and remained there until a short time before the dismissal of the Prairie's crew from the service.
Lieut. J. K. Dexter was detailed from duty on the Lehigh to duty as navigator on the converted ferry boat, Gov. Russell, and ordered to take her to Key West. The trip was an eventful one, for the Gov. Russell as a war boat was a fearfully and wonderfully constructed piece of marine architecture, and there were times when it was a question whether she would ever reach a port or not. But finally she was navigated as far as Newport News, and after looking her carefully over, the naval authorities decided that it was not wise to expose her again to the high seas.
After muster-out of the Lehigh detail H company was once more at home and it was not long before the reorganization of the command as a part of the state militia was begun and successfully carried out, a good number of the officers and men who had seen service remaining. Today the company is once more in its old position of the best all-round company in the Massachusetts naval brigade.
On October 27th, a number of prominent citizens tendered H company a banquet at Hotel Worthy, and the occasion will long be remembered as a very pleasant one. During the evening the handsome silk American flag, purchased for the company by citizens, was presented by Rev. Dr. P. S. Moxom.
[ROSTER.]
FIELD STAFF AND NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.
Colonel, Embury P. Clark.
Major, Frederick G. Southmayd.
Adjutant, First Lieut. Paul R. Hawkins.
Quartermaster, First Lieut. Edward E. Sawtell.
Major and Surgeon, Henry C. Bowen.
Major and Surgeon, Ernest A. Gates.