Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/621

 

CHAPTER XII.

Left Lancaster in the midst of cheers—met with grand reception in philadelphia—a grand dinner at the chinese museum on ninth street below chestnut street—speeches and songs suitable for the occasion—taken to third street hall, cor. third and willow streets—receiving our discharge from the army—bidding good-bye to our comrades—list of names of the company—those who died or were discharged from the army—table of distance from vera cruz to the city of mexico—the formation of the scott legion—twenty-fifth anniversary of the battle of cerro gordo—speech on the occasion.

Monday July 24, 1848.—This morning we were all up by 1 o'clock and took our breakfast, after which we got on board the cars, early as it was. The citizens came around the cars and in the cars to bid us good-bye. At half-past 2 o'clock the whistle of the locomotive blew, and off we started for Philadelphia in the midst of cheers and applause from the citizens.

At every station along the road the citizens gathered to welcome the soldiers home. Salutes were fired and cheering all along the road, and when we arrived at the head of the planes, in sight of Philadelphia, we could see the thousands of people and hear the roaring of artillery, which was the signal of our arrival at the head of the planes. At the foot of the inclined plane we were met by one mass of people, cheering, and all seemed full of enthusiasm. The tops of the cars, and platforms, and all along the railroad was crowded with people, and we soon arrived at the corner of Coates street and Columbia railroad—now called Pennsylvania avenue. Here we got off the cars and went into a large lot (N. E. corner) right opposite the railroad and Coates street; remained here until the military, which was forming on Coates street, now Fairmount avenue, was ready to receive us.

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