The 114th NY Infantry Regiment comes home, June 1865

 Oxford Times, June 21, 1865

The 114th NY Infantry Regiment returns from the War

The thralldom of red tapeism, and the delay which so long held the gallant 114th at Elmira [Chemung Co., NY], were dissolved on Saturday, and Sunday morning giving them the pleasant prospect of the hills and valleys of old Chenango and the thrice blessed retrospect of the toils and dangers, impositions and frauds necessary or incident to a soldier's life.  

About noon on Sunday they arrived at Greene [Chenango Co., NY], where a most joyful welcome and a most bountiful repast awaited them, and where overflowing hospitality and patriotic demonstration ruled the hour.  A want of transportation from Greene, which we believe was the result of no fault on the part of any town or individual, but chargeable to the absence of proper co-operation between different localities along the route to Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], delayed the progress of the regiment to this place [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY]. 

The main body of veterans reached this place [Oxford] by canal about 3 o'clock Monday morning, and the voice of cannon, the ringing of bells and the music of the Band called together a goodly number of citizens and Ladies, while cheer upon cheer repeated and returned by the brave boys, assured us of the hold that the bronzed veterans of eleven battle fields have upon the hearts of our people, and of the joy that thrilled each soldier's breast at the near prospect of home and rest from the toils and hardships of war.  A bountiful table had been spread at Lewis' Hall, early in the night, and the ladies mindful of the vigilance and watchfulness of the returning veterans for them, and the Republic, had given no sleep to their eyelids in their anxiety and joy to minister to the comforts and welcome home again the men who had made the patriotism and loyalty of Chenango historic. 

The Band escorted the weary men to the Hall, where a supper at dawn of day, was closed, by the proffer by the ladies and the acceptance with hearty cheers by the veterans, of a breakfast at the late hour in the morning. The tables were again spread, and at about 9 o'clock under escort of the Oxford Band and the Regimental band the officers and soldiers of the 114th again moved to the Hall.  The names of all the battles in which the regiment had borne part conspicuously displayed, and of the heroic dead, who had fallen in service, and an ample supply of flowers by fair hands, were timely and appropriate. 

Breakfast ended, Horace Packer, Esq., on behalf of the citizens' committee, introduced Wm. H. Hyde, who welcomed Col. PerLee and the regiment in a short address, responded to briefly by the Colonel, after which in response to a toast to the Ladies, Major Curtis replied with good effect. A sentiment in honor of the fallen braves of the regiment, followed by a dirge from the Band, all standing, drew tears from many an eye, and told with silent but eloquent effect upon the bronzed and furrowed features of living veterans.  

On behalf of the ladies, a Bouquet was presented to each Captain for his company, and to each commissioned officer, not forgetting Dr. Beecher, whose brief acknowledgment of the favor evinced that the rigors of war had not dried up the springs of humor and sentiment in his nature.  With cheer upon cheer, for the ladies, and the quickening impulse of Yankee Doodle by the band, the 114th regiment dissolved out of view, and their final visit became a matter of local history. The orderly, quiet and temperate bearing of our returned veterans, although removed from military restraint and their self respect and regard for public order, were the subject of frequent and deserved praise.

Long may they live to enjoy the rights and liberties which they have so nobly vindicated by their heroism, and to add to the renown of arms, the highest rewards of honorable and bonded citizenship.