End of War

"Preparations for the homeward journey, so far as preparations were needed, now occupied the thoughts of all. The Sanitary Commission had since the arrival of the troops from the field spared no pains to provide them with delicacies, comforts and luxuries and after the muster out rations were drawn in profusion, so that the supplies received by the men were only limited by their disposition to accept.

Reveille sounded next morning at half-past 3 and at 5 camp was broken, the regiment under the lead of General Edwards marching through Georgetown to Washington where at 11 o'clock cars were taken. Baltimore was reached at half-past 3 in the afternoon, dinner was eaten, cars changed, and at 5 the homeward route was resumed. Arriving at Philadelphia some time past midnight, the never-failing hospitality of the Quaker City was enjoyed in a bountiful breakfast at the Cooper Shop of blessed memory; at daylight cars were taken to Amboy, whence the journey to New York was made by the steamer Transport, reaching the Metropolis at noon. After a most excellent dinner, the regiment marched up Broadway once more and at 6 o'clock took the steamer Traveler for Hudson. That city was reached about daylight of the 24th, and at half-past 5 the citizens provided a generous breakfast, welcoming the return as they had speeded the departure of the Thirty-seventh.

Pittsfield was reached at 10 o'clock, and at this first stopping place 0n Massachusetts soil, the point of the regiment's formation and departure, it was received with hearty demonstrations. Yet sadness had a share, for it could not escape notice that while 27 cars had been required to take the command away, it was comfortably returned in six. At the depot the regiment was met by an escort of firemen and conducted to the park, where a bountiful collation was served and the veterans were eloquently welcomed by Hon. H. L. Dawes and E. H. Kellogg. General Edwards responded briefly, with a touching allusion to those who had fallen, the regiment gave a brief exhibition of the manual of arms and then continued the journey.

Springfield was entered at half-past 2, and the reception there was of the most enthusiastic nature. Many of the relatives and near friends of the members were in waiting at the depot, and as the command left the cars the greetings were rapturous and affecting. Presently the line of marched was formed and the regiment, escorted by the fire department, led by the Railroad band, marched to the City Hall. The streets were filled with enthusiastic people waving handkerchiefs and cheering the veterans, to whom a more familiar sound was the thunder of the Union Battery, whose rapid discharges emphasized the welcome. The national colors were everywhere displayed and many of the buildings and banners bore appropriate mottoes. In the City Hall a bounteous repast had been prepared, and when the soldiers were seated an appropriate address of welcome was made by N. A. Leonard, Esq., in the absence of the mayor. General Edwards responded in behalf of the regiment, after which his command did ample justice to the tempting viands; another period of hand-shaking followed, the column returned to the depot, and the Thirty-seventh that evening reached their last camp at Readville."

"History of the Thirty-seventh Regiment, Massachusetts, Volunteers, in the civil war"(1884) 
By James Lorenzo Bowen

Oliver Edwards' account of the end of the War from his unpublished manuscript My Recollections of the Civil War:

April 11th, the 6th Corps took up its march for Burkesville, through rain and mud, we marched for two days, but what cared we for rain or mud for Appomattox had made us rain and mud proof. It seemed as if nothing could quench our joy, and our light hearts made our light feet in spite of mud, but the assassin’s hand found in our hearts the vulnerable spot. On April 15th we received the news that our great President was assassinated – shot down from behind – by that cowardly murderer, J. Wilkes Booth. We had been so happy and desired to be at peace with all mankind – now we wished for one more battled – for an enemy to avenge ourselves on, but the citizens and paroled soldiers we met seemed also to be horror struck, and they seemed to mourn the death of our President, as if they too had lost a friend.

            Sherman’s army in North Carolina had united with Scofield’s column at Goldsboro, and seized Raleigh, N.C., April 13th, where they received news of Lee’s surrender, and Johnston proposed an armistice for the purpose of closing the army on terms that were disallowed by our War Dept. and Sherman was ordered to recommence hostilities, while the 6th Corps was ordered to march via Danville, Va., into North Carolina, and attack Johnston without regard to Sherman.

            April 23rd, the 6th Corps moved, and reached Danville April 27th, where we learned that Johnston had surrendered to Sherman on the same terms as Grant gave to Lee.

            May 2nd, I received orders to proceed by railroad with my brigade to Burksville, and to guard the road from Burkesville to Wilson Station.

            At the Danville Depot I found many Confederate officers paroled from Johnston’s army, seeking transportation to their homes, and I invited Gen. Remper, Col. Paul and others into my headquarters car, and they travelled with us as far as we went toward their homes.

            On the 15th we heard of the capture of Jeff. Davis. We were not bloodthirsty, we wished to be magnanimous toward our late foes, to have peace, to be one people, but Jefferson Davis should have been hung higher than Haman; not because he was president of the so-called confederacy, but because he founded “Andersonville” and there tortured and murdered our brave boys, with the deliberate intention that no man imprisoned there, should ever be able to do duty against the rebels in the field again.

            On May 17th my command started for Washington. I was absent on leave, but hearing that the army of the Potomac was en route for Washington, I wnet[sic] at once to Washington, and on the 23rd saw the army of the Potomac – except the 6th Corps – pass in review before President Johnson. What a grand sight were these battle worn men, who for four years had stood between the Confederate armies and Washington, and at last had received at Appomattox the surrender of that grand army of Northern Va., with brigades smaller than regiments; regiments no larger than full companies; colors torn and rent by shot and shell, these splendid soldiers passed the reviewing officer in perfect time and cadence; it was a sight never to be forgotten.

            The next day, May 24th was the review of Sherman’s army. I was on the veranda in front of Gen. Augur’s Head Quarters, when Sherman appeared at the head of his magnificent army; as he recognized Gen. Augur and the ladies on the veranda, he wheeled his horse in front of and under the veranda, and bowed to the neck of his war steed in response to the waving of handkerchiefs by the ladies, and our greetings of “Sherman, Sherman, Sherman.”

            I hastened to the General Officer’s stand, in front of the President’s reviewing stand, in time to see the hero pass, and dismount. Sherman shook hands with President Johnson, then Mr. Stanton- Secretary for war – stepped forward and offered his hand. General Sherman looked Stanton steadily in the face, then slowly placed his hands behind him and deliberately turned his back to Mr. Stanton. It was a premeditated insult. It was insubordination unworthy a soldier; it was disrespect to his superior officer. Sherman’s army passed in review in splendid order, their marching and soldierly bearing could hardly be surpassed.

            June 8th the 6th Corps was reviewed in Washington by President Johnson. Our Corp was greeted with the greatest possible enthusiasm by the populace, who had not forgotten that the 6th Corps saved Washington from capture by General Early less than one year ago.

            As I stood by the President’s side and watched my command pass in review, every nerve in my body thrilled with pride in my heroes; these were the men who made the heroic defence of the “Angle” who saved the day at Winchester, and who first broke the enemy’s line, before Petersburgh, and who bore the brunt of the battle at Sailor’s Creek.

            The President remarked how small were the companies and regiments and how torn and rent were the colors, and the perfect marching, and soldierly appearance of my command were generally praised. We returned to our camp near Hall’s Hill, Va., and my regiments were mustered out day by day. It was a pull on the heart string to take leave of them. I went with the 37th Mass. to Roadville, Mass. where the regiment disbanded and separated, to go to their homes.

            One the route home the 37th Mass. steamed up the Hudson River on the fine steamer Oregon, that carried the regiment on its way to Washington to Hudson to Jersey City. We disembarked at Hudson and were enthusiastically received and entertainment by the hospitable citizens of Hudson; again at Pittsfield we were welcome by our own Massachusetts friends, and were received with eloquent heartfelt greetings.

            Then at Springfield we were royally entertained. Governor John A. Andrew said he was proud of the 37th, and its record. He asked why we had declined to exchange our battle flags for new ones, when the State offered such an exchange; I told him it was because we preferred to return to him the same colors we received from the State when we were first mustered in, and that though there were but a few shreds left, yet they were the colors first presented to us, and now they represented every battle in which the regiment was engaged.

            Governor Andrew said; “You would not exchange your old colors for new ones, but I will have a new set of colors issued with the name of every battle in which the 37th Mass. was engaged, inscribed upon them, and the old and the new shall hang side by side in the State House.

            In company with all officers of the 37th present, I called at the State House, and presented to Governor Andrew in the name of the 37th Mass. a Spencer army rifle, one that was carried by the regiment into their desperate fight at Sailor’s Creek, in token of the Regiment’s appreciation of the fatherly care he had taken of Massachusetts regiments throughout the war. Governor Andrew responded in the most eloquent words I ever listened to. No troops were cared for, as were Massachusetts troops. Wherever we were, we had always felt the fatherly care of Governor John A. Andrew.

            Sunday, July 2nd, the 37th Mass. were paid off and I bid good bye to the officers and men of one of the best regiments I ever saw, and with a sore heart I saw the last of Edward’s Brigade, but with all my soul I thanked God that the war was over, and that we were One Country

Letter from G.L. Montague, June 20, 1865. This letter was written the day after the order to muster out the 37th MA Regiment was given. In it he refers to Major Oliver Edwards, Adjutant John S. Bradley and inquires after his horses left behind when he was discharged from military service in February 1865 for medical reasons.

South Hadley June 20

My Dear Quartermaster

Way down from Chicago have I come with my spouse for the purpose of meeting the old regiment when it comes – when that is to be, nobody knows – Just write me and give all necessary information – I want to know too about my horses – I have had no letter from you in reply to mine which disapproved of the price of $125 for old Dow_etc_ You can get transportation for my animals and I’d like them here very much – Whatever becomes of little Billy, my pack horse.  Don’t lose him if he is yet on hand – the box of saddles  etc reached So. Hadley

I am under obligations to you for your trouble in my favor to edwards coming up with the regiment. If you should see him, will you tell him that I am at So. Hadley and that I’d like to have him communicate with me as to his movements, as I want to see him when he gets into this locality- I’ve had some idea of going to Washington, but don’t think it will pay- I’ve had but little news of the reg’t of late-

Let me know from you- Regards to all the officers. If Bradley (who, I hear, is a citizen) comes home before the regt, tell him to come up to So Hadley + call on me without fail-

In haste Yrs truly

G.L. Montague