Chapter XVI: On Furlough

In the winter of 1863-4, the great majority of the men of the 32d reënlisted for a term of three years, under an order which in such cases gave the entire reënlisting body a furlough of thirty days. It was only after much struggling with bumbledom that everything was smoothed out and the furlough granted, so that the Regiment could return as one body.

Leaving the camp and the remainder of the men under command of Captain Fuller of Company C, the Regiment left for Massachusetts to enjoy its vacation. It was a little before noon on Sunday, the 17th of January, 1864, a bright and mild winter day, that we arrived in Boston, and our first impression upon arrival was that all the people of Boston were gathered about the Old Colony station, but there were enough of them left to line the whole route through the city, as we marched first to the State House to pay our respects to Governor Andrew, and as we moved thence to Faneuil Hall, where a bounteous collation awaited us. Notwithstanding the day the troops were saluted along the line by the cheers of the people, and the salvos of artillery.

At Faneuil Hall, after all had been satisfied with the repast, Governor Andrew arose to address them and was greeted with hearty cheers. He spoke in substance as follows:

_Soldiers_:--In the name and in behalf of the Commonwealth and
of the people of Massachusetts, I greet your return once more
to your homes and to the soil of the venerable Bay State. The
cordial voices of the people who have welcomed your procession
through the streets of Boston, these waving banners, these
booming cannon breaking the stillness of our Sabbath day
with voices echoing the sounds of battle--all, all bid you
welcome--welcome home. The grateful hospitality of Boston
beneath the venerable arches of Faneuil Hall welcomes you. Our
hearts, speaking the eloquence of affection, admiration, and
pride no words of mortal lips can utter, with beating throbs
bid you welcome. Hail then, soldiers of our cause, returning
for brief relaxation from the toils, the conflicts, the perils
of war, hail to your homes. Here let the war-worn soldier-boy
rest for a while, and rejuvenate his spirits, refresh his
heart, and re-erect his frame. Here, too, I trust, shall your
ranks be filled by fresh recruits of brave and patriotic
hearts, imitating your zeal, vying with your courage, and
following your example. I cannot, soldiers of the Union Army,
by words, by eloquence of speech, in fitting measure repeat
your praise. This battle flag, riddled with shot and torn with
shell, is more eloquent than human voice, more speaking than
language, more inspiring, more pathetic than music or song.
This banner tells what you have done; it reveals what you have
borne. And it shall be preserved so long as the last thread
remains, so long as time shall leave a splinter of its staff--a
memorial of your heroism, your patriotism and your valor.

While I greet the return of these brave and stalwart men to
the homes of Massachusetts, I remember those comrades in arms
whose forms you have left behind. Yielding to the shock of
battle, many of those brave soldier-boys to whom, in behalf
of the Commonwealth, I bade farewell some months ago,
fighting for that flag, defending the rights and honor of our
common country, maintaining the liberties of her people, the
traditions of the fathers, and the rights of humanity--have
been laid low. They sleep beneath the sod that covers the rude
grave of the soldier. Oh, rest in peace, ye hero martyrs, until
the resurrection summons shall call you to that other _Home_!
No longer obedient to any earthly voice or any human leader,
you have made your last report, and in the spirit have already
ascended to join the Great Commander! The humblest soldiers
who have given their lives away, will be remembered so long
as our country shall preserve a history. Their fame will be
acknowledged with grateful affection when ten thousand prouder
names shall have been forgot.

“While thousand as absurd as I,
Cling to their skirts, they still shall fly,
And spring to immortality.”

I give you praise from the bottom of a grateful heart, in
behalf of a grateful and patriotic people, for all that you
have suffered and for all that you have attempted. And now
on this holy sabbath day, let us remember with the filial
thankfulness of sons, with the devoted piety of Christians, as
well as the exulting confidence of patriots what the _God of
our fathers_ has done for us, from the beginning. Unto _Him_
and not unto us be all the praise and the glory. Unto Him who
sitteth upon the throne and ruleth the nations let us give
everlasting ascriptions of praise, that through the trials of
many a defeat, through the despondency of many a temporary
repulse, our arms have been conducted to many a triumph, and
our minds to still loftier heights of moral victory. You are
fighting now for the cause of your country, and also--for
Washington used to love to declare he drew his sword--“for the
rights of human nature.” And now let all of us, living men, on
this holy day and on this sacred spot where our fathers were
wont to meet in the dark hours of earlier history--let all of
us living men, consecrate ourselves anew, by the vows of a new
obedience, to our country, to humanity, and to God.

At the hall the Regiment was dismissed, but only to meet renewed evidences of cordial hospitality. Company I was entertained the same day by the civic authorities of Charlestown, and Company K the next day at Newton. The officers breakfasted with Colonel Parker at the Parker House on Monday, and on the 16th of February, on the eve of their return, dined with him at the Revere House, on which latter occasion Governor Andrew was present and expressed, as no one could do more more heartily or more genially, his appreciation of the past service of the Regiment, and his good wishes for their future.

Besides these there were balls and dinners and entertainments to occupy all the time that the soldiers were willing to spare from their home enjoyments, until their departure February 17th, and on the Monday ensuing the Regiment was again in camp at Liberty, with its new title of “Veteran,” which the 32d was the first, from Massachusetts, to assume.