I arrived in this fair city to discover that it was not, as I’d heard, a place entirely lacking in those elements we commonly associate with civilization. There are even a few ladies whose beauty might rival that to be found in New York, Boston or some other metropolis of our East. While the men are somewhat coarse and outspoken, in keeping with our Western territories, those who reside in this part of the state do not fall short in their hospitality to visitors. The public buildings here are remarkably well appointed though smaller in scale than those to be found in New York City. Madison city is attractively situated on an isthmus between two fresh water lakes. I am reliably told that the decision to locate the capitol building there, upon the isthmus, was more the product of straightforward Yankee commerce than civic design.

The mood of the populace here can only be described as "jubilant" at the return of the 2d Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, one of the first of our three year regiments to muster out after arduous service. However, the exuberance displayed by the citizens has been quickly tempered by the knowledge of the cost to that regiment which so nobly served out Union.

For these men who have sacrificed so much, the false bravado and blind patriotism of the recruiting office has long faded. Yet, as the column wound its way ever nearer the state capitol building, the rearmost company of the 2d began to sing "Battle Cry of Freedom." The tune was taken up enthusiastically by much of the remainder of the regiment entering or leaving the fight against the foe. These men shall retain their absolute determination that our cause will prevail and that the Union shall be preserved.

Formal ceremonies honoring the regiment and featuring a host of dignitaries and an immense crowd numbering in the thousands awaited them at the Capitol. On its very steps was constructed a large speaker’s platform along with a proud banner which read "Liberty, Freedom, Union." Cannon boomed and flags fluttered in honor to those who have returned and those who have fallen in their country’s service.

The Reverend St. Clair of Carroll College gave the invocation followed by several patriotic airs played by what was truly a fine military band and the voices of Madison city’s Glee Club. Wisconsin Governor James T. Lewis gave the opening address stressing the willingness of the men of the regiment to sacrifice "the pleasures of home and all it’s endearments," in order to answer a call to higher duty. To the Governor, the men of the brave Second Wisconsin are to be seen as "a band of freeman, a thousand strong, going out to the sacrifice at a nation’s bidding, going out to defend the right, and carve a still higher niche in their country’s fame." For this is the senior regiment of the famed Iron Brigade of our Army of the Potomac. Governor Lewis reminded all that many men of the Second lie ill in hospitals or in the hands of the enemy in Confederate prisons. The Governor called forth the tempest and said that the heaven’s weep for the fallen. As if to give the gathering divine sanction, the rumble of thunder and a gentle cleansing rain fell upon those assembled here.

When the Governor had concluded his remarks, the men of the 2d left no doubt what they wanted. They called for their Colonel, Lucius Fairchild, and called for him repeatedly. Loud cheering greeted the Colonel as he came to the platform to address the men. Colonel Fairchild bore with him the mark of sacrifice, an arm lost at Gettysburg; a coat with one sleeve pinned to the shoulder. Nevertheless, the Colonel was unflagging in his admiration for his regiment.