The vote for Governor was-Henry H. Crapo, Republican, 9,612, and William M. Fenton, Democrat, 2,992. The infantry regiments which did not vote were the 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th, and 21st; of the cavalry, the 1st, 4th, 6th, and 9th; and of the light artillery, battery G. RECEPTION OF TROOPS. In June, 1865, anticipating the early return of troops from the field, a meeting of citizens was held in Detroit, when measures were taken to arrange for a proper reception at that place of the returning regiments, and to provide such refreshments as they might stand in need of. With this in view, the following committees were selected and appointed: Committee of Reception.-Ladies-Mesdames Brent, T. K. Adams, Silas Holmes, Walter Ingersoll, John Palmer, J. S. Farrand, L. B. Willard, Jabez Holmes, L. S. Trowbridge, Slocum, and A. C. McGraw. Gentlemen-Rev. George Taylor, Messrs. J. W. Farrell, Ed. Wetmore, W. S. Penfield, F. Wetmore, T. K. Adams, George W. Hudson, Jabez Holmes, E. C. Walker, Geo. Sheley, and H. M. Wright. Committee of Finance.-Messrs. E. B. Ward, David Preston, C. H. Buhl, John Owen, C. C. Trowbridge, R. N. Rice, Mark Flanigan, W. K. Muir, Edmund Trowbridge, and Ira Davis. Mr. H. R. Johnson was selected as purveyor and superintendent of tables, performing much service, receiving the approval of all, and with a kindly heart contributed largely to the comforts of the soldier by his untiring care and attention. The services of these committees were gratuitous, involving much labor, both early and late. They were aided in their attentive services by a number of ladies and gentlemen who gave their attendance at the tables, while the citizens generally contributed liberally, rendering the object an entire success. From June 4th, 1865, down to June 10th, 1866, 19,510 Michigan and 3,506 Wisconsin troops were hospitably received and substantially entertained. With his accustomed liberality and kindness, coupled with his pronounced loyalty to the cause in which the soldier fought, R. N. Rice, Esq., then Superintendent of the Michigan Central, permitted the committees to use the large upper story of the freight house, which was fitted up as a dining hall, and appropriately decorated, and capable of seating over two thousand. The Rev. Geo. Taylor, of the Methodist Episcopal church, formerly Chaplain. of the 8th Michigan Infantry and then an agent of the Christian Commission, having been permitted by that association to devote his entire time to the returning troops, was most attentive, invariably present on their arrival, ever ready with many kind words and a warm and enthusiastic welcome, which the men of Michigan as well as many of Wisconsin will long remember. Through the liberality of the people of Jackson, then a rendezvous for returned troops, like arrangements were made, and during the time before mentioned over 10,659 Michigan soldiers received kindly attention and bonntiful entertainment on their arrival there. The ladics were, as usual, numerously represented, prominent among whom was Mrs. Governor Blair, as she always was when the interest or comfort of the soldier was involved. The steamer Morning Star, Captain E. R. Viger, with the City of Cleveland, Captain Wm. McKay, then composed the "Cleveland Line" from that point to Detroit, controlled by the Hon. John Owen. These splendid steamers carried nearly all the troops arriving in Detroit, strongly identifying them with the history of Michigan troops, and many thousands of them now look back with grateful memory, especially the sick and wounded, when longing for home and friends, dusty and weary, they were so kindly received and so humanely treated by the manly officers of these steamers, and they will never forget how their steps were made light and their hearts gladdened as their eyes first glanced on the blue waters of Lake Erie, and those steamers that were to bear them so near their homes which they so much longed to reach. As a general thing the western troops, especially the sick and wounded, on passing through cities, towns, and villages, on their way from the field, received, during the entire war, a most cordial and generous reception, and especially so at Pittsburg, Penn., where a continuously open house, night and day, was kept, in which the tables were loaded with bounteous repasts, while the fair daughters of Pennsylvania were the waiting maids. "They shall have their reward." On this subject it may not be out of place to notice the kindly treatment of ladies of Nashville, Tenn., extended to the wounded brigade in passing through that place after the battle of Chickamauga as described by Benjamin F. Taylor, the noble-hearted correspondent and eloquent writer, whose "War Pen Pictures" stand unequaled in the writings on the war. "It is midnight, and the attendants are going through the train with coffee, graced with milk and sugar-think of that! Two fresh, white, crisp crackers apiece and a little taste of fruit. Did your hands prepare it, dear lady? I hope so, for the little balance in your favor set down in the ledger of God. "But here they come with a canteen. Will you go with them? Climb through that window into a car as black as the 'Hole of Calcutta ;' bat mind where you step; the floor is one layer deep with wounded soldiers. As you swing the lantern round bandages show white and ghastly everywhere. Bandages, bandages, and now and then a rusty spot of blood. What worn out faded faces look at you. They rouse like wounded creatures hunted down to their lairs as you come. The tin cups, extended in all sorts of hands but plump, strong ones, tinkle all around you; you are fairly girdled with a tin cup horizon. How the dull, pale faces brighten as those cups are filled. On we go, out at one window, in at another, stepping gingerly among wounded limbs." PRESENTATION OF COLORS. When the war had ended, the regiments returning delivered to the State their Colors, not one dishonored, neither blot nor stain on their escutcheon, but all distinguished and glorious, bearing record of many battles. A prophecy was generally advanced early in the war, and even up to its close, that idleness, debauchery, and crime would characterize the release from military restraint, and the return to the State of so many men who had been exposed to a service, judging from the results in other armies, likely to engender irregular, improvident, and dissolute habits, leading to a lawless course of conduct, tending to the most deplorable consequences. Alas for the prophets! their sayings were but the idle babblings of the most distrustful of humanity. By over fifteen years of experience since their return their theory has been completely refuted by a practice of houesty, virtue and thrift, most commendable, comparing favorably with our citizens generally, while many of them have filled the highest places in the administration of the State, and in the ordinary avocations in life. General Order No. 94, issued by the War Department, May 15th, 1865, directed that the volunteer regiments, returning to their respective States for final discharge, should deposit the regimental colors with the Chief Mustering Officer, to be held by him subject to the order of the Adjutant General of the army. Under date of June 13th, 1865, the War Department authorized the Chief Mustering Officer of this State, to turn over to the Governor, at his request, all the regimental colors of Michigan regiments then in his charge, or that might thereafter come into his possession under the provisions of the order referred to. Extract from the letter of Major John H. Knight, U. S. Army, accompanying the delivery of the flags: "OFFICE CHIEF MUSTERING OFFICER, "Brigadier General John Robertson, Adjutant General State of Michigan, Detroit, Mich.: "GENERAL-All the regiments sent from the State of Michigan to put down the rebellion of the Southern States, having now been mustered out of service, paid off, and disbanded, the time has arrived when I should, in compliance with orders from the War Department, deliver to the Governor of the State, the flags turned over to me by the officers of the disbanded regiments. "I have the honor this day to deliver to you (you being at the head of the State Military Bureau, and its chief officer), all of them in my possession. "Please find a list of the flags enclosed. In turning them over to you I am sensibly reminded that they are the flags under which so many brave and successful deeds have been performed-so many valuable lives given up in the cause of the Union and republican liberty, and such beneficial results obtained. * * * * * * * * * * "By depositing these flags in the archives of each State, the authorities of the Government have placed therein a monument in memory of its glories which will be most cherished, and whenever beheld by the people will far surpass, in the feeling of veneration which they will call forth, all the pillars of marble or granite which human genius could build. It will be remembered that they have passed through the scenes of strife, and that they have been carried by the hands of the brave men themselves, who fought and died for our national liberties; it will be seen that on them is inscribed the names of the battles passed through, where the fate of liberty was staked and decided; and with what feelings of reverence will these strips of bunting be looked upon by the father, mother, brother, or sister, whose son or brother marched to victory or glorious death under their folds. Whilst all patriots on viewing these battle flags will remember and mourn the loss of life and regret the vast expenditures which have been made to preserve our liberties, yet all will rejoice over the glorious results which have been achieved. "Permit me to congratulate, through you, the people of Michigan, for the brilliant and conspicuous part performed by Michigan regiments in the late war for the Union. I believe there is no blot upon their record, but all is bright, conspicuous, and glorious, whilst an extraordinary number of personal distinctions shine upon the pages.' Next of interest to the men who upheld and defended them in the field, are the colors themselves. They are, aside from that, indelibly stamped on the hearts of the people, the most forcible mementoes of the gallant regiments that so heroically stood by them and the country, even in the darkest days of the war. They were as little specks in the long lines of the great American armies, yet they were often watched in the advancing columns with intense anxiety, but with strong confidence and hope by the greatest generals of the land. To bear them aloft was a signal for rebel bullets, often bringing swift and certain death, but they were never trailed in the dust nor lacked a gallant bearer. On the Fourth of July, 1866, those colors were formally presented in Detroit, through the Governor, to the State, and were deposited in its archives to be sacredly kept and carefully preserved. The setting apart of the National birthday for the purpose was most appropriate. Its hallowed memories reminded the people of the gallant struggle of their forefathers in establishing the Government, in the maintenance of which so many present had followed their flags to glorious victory. |