Return of the Gallant 114th - 1865

Return of the Gallant 114th!

Chenango American, June 8, 1865

A letter has been received from Rev. Mr. Robinson, Chaplain of the 114th Regiment, stating that this Regiment was to be mustered out and to return to Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] to be paid off, and that they would probably pass through Greene [Chenango Co., NY] on their way thither sometime during the present week, due notice to be given us by telegraph of the time of their coming.  Steps are being taken by our citizens to give them a greeting worthy of their heroic achievements.  Baptized in fire and blood--wearing laurels such as the brave only wear--rich in deeds of valor and renown--these bronzed and war-worn veterans return to receive the well-earned plaudits of a grateful people.

Scarcely one-fourth of those who nearly three years since went from among us to engage in the holiest of warfares are now to be found in the decimated ranks of the glorious 114th.  In the rude shock of battle--at the canon's mouth and the bayonet's point--many of those heroes have won imperishable honor and scaled their devotion with their blood.  Some have languished and died in hospitals--some have become the victims of the barbarous cruelty meted out to our poor prisoners, and have starved in rebel prisons.  For these the tear of gratitude and sympathy flows freely.  Their memories are embalmed in the hearts of their countrymen, and their names are inscribed high on the roll of fame. When the history of the gallant 114th shall be written, proud as we now are of Chenango's regiment, we shall have knowledge of greater cause for rejoicing that so brave, so heroic, so successful a fighting Regiment, hailed form old Chenango.  Let then due and merited honor be paid to the brave survivors.