From the Richmond Examiner, 1/22/1866, p. 3, c. 2

DEPARTURE FOR HOME OF THE TWENTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT. – The Twenty-Fourth Massachusetts Regiment, which has been encamped at Howard Grove, broke up camp on Saturday morning and embarked for “hum.”

The regiment marched down Seventeenth street to Main, and out Main street to Rocketts and the steamer that had to carry them away; the full brass band playing “The Girl I left behind me,” and “Home Again.” The command was pretty strong in point of numbers and made a good display. A magnificent escort, composed of all the freedmen, freedwomen and freedchildren from Chimborazo and the city, accompanied the regiment in its march, flanking the column on either side of the pavement, singing to the chorus, and “do da day.” Their costumes were various as their necessities, and most picturesque. Some were without hats or bonnets, more were shoeless, and many tripped along in half a shirt, and trousers minus of one leg. Altogether, the escort was as appropriate as it was enthusiastic, and numbered four or five hundred. The heavy burden imposed upon the men in the way of a knapsack, blanket, and other baggage, or whiskey under the belt, caused the men to stagger, and straggle from the line a good deal; but the wharf was finally reached, and all, save a few who became overpowered and were picked up by the police, were safely embarked. The steamer turned her bow down the river, amid great huzzas from the escort. The regiment, we understand, goes home to be mustered out of service.

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