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From Springfield, Ill.
Ovation to the 29th Illinois Veterans--Speeches by Governor Yates, Colonel Kent, and others--Feasting, &c.
[Special dispatch to the Missouri Democrat.]
Springfield, Ill., July 19, 1864.--The 29th regiment Illinois volunteers arrived here on Saturday, 340 strong, having re-enlisted as veterans, under command of Colonel Lenor Kent. They had a glorious reception here to-day at eleven o'clock. The regiment was marched from Camp Yates to the Hall of [the?] House of Representatives, where the reception [testi?]monials took place. His Excellency, Governor Yates, in welcoming the regiment home, gave a [most?] interesting history of its organization, and the movements and battles in which these brave men, for three years, had been engaged. Colonels Reordan, Brayman, Terrell and Kent, and Lieutenant Calliscott, Major Curtis, and the other officers and gallant privates of the command received that notice which the ever-watchful Executive of Illinois is able, from his intimate knowledge of the sources and history of the officers and soldiers of our regiments to give upon such occasions. He said that we were stronger to-day in faithfulness and attachment exhibited by the veteran volunteers to the Government and the country, than any period during the war, and that they gave evidence, in their veteran vows, that the soldiers were willing to fight as long to save the Union as were our patriot sires in achieving it. His portraiture of the contrast between the citizen in vows for the preservation of the people's Government and the selfish and disloyal peace sneaks who stay at home and conspire against them and the Government, and thus offer practical and material aid to Jeff. Davis and his hellish rebellion, was received with resounding cheers by the soldiers.
The Governor paid a high tribute to the character and services of Lieutenant General Grant, attributing his successes to the purity of his private character, to his superior generalship, and the inspiring confidence he commanded from the President and every general officer, down to the humblest private soldier in the ranks.
Richard Yates is at home with the soldiers, and it is only necessary to witness one of these veteran reception testimonials to feel the magnetic tie which binds them together. After the Governor, Colonel Kent responded in behalf of the regiment in a short, stirring, soldier-like speech. He said that every officer and soldier of the 29th had nobly performed every task assigned them, and intended to stand by the Government until the rebellion was crushed, and the old flag floated, honored and respected as it had been, over every State and territory in the Union. He says that the 29th and 131st regiments, as consolidated and veteranized, represented Egyptian Illinois, and that seven-tenths of them who took up arms were radically Democratic, but that they were now nine-tenths for Lincoln, and for Lincoln forever. There is not a man in the regiment but heartily despises Copperheads, and would knock starlight from the K. G. C.'s, and read the emancipation proclamation by the illumination.
The Colonel brings home the highest testimonials from general officers, as to his energy, skill, and bravery in the field, and the evidences of respect and affection manifested towards him as among our best regimental commanders.
D. E. Phillips, Esq., followed Colonel Kent in an earnest speech, which stirred the boys to the highest pitch of enthusiasm At twelve o'clock the ladies of the Loyal League of Springfield, served up a splendid dinner to the regiment, which the boys partook of with fine relish. Every luxury of the season was set out in the best style, and the veteran soldier was made to feel the depth of sympathy entertained by the loyal women of Illinois for the nation's defenders.
The regiment was paid off in full by Majors Wilson and McLoughrey, and receive their thirty days' furloughs and leave for their homes to-night.