'You have toiled, struggled and suffered much during the last four years, yet to those who are now here to enjoy the triumph over our enemies and the peace and prosperity of our country, the reward is ample. I know that we will all regard the acts of those years as the noblest and proudest of our lives. For those, our noble comrades, who have fallen victims in the struggle, let us always, with the most tender affection, cherish their memory. 'You have served your country nobly and faithfully in every field where duty called you, and I am proud to assert that on every occasion and in every locality, from the northwestern frontier, against the savage Indian foes, to the deathly swamps of the Yazoo and Arkansas valleys, against the haughty Southern rebels,--wherever this regiment has been, its rank and file, its bone and sinew, the true representatives of our noble young state, have ever reflected honor and credit on that state. 'As your commanding officer I am greatly indebted to you all, officers and men, for your admirable conduct on all occasions, for your ready obedience of orders, and for your fidelity, patriotism and perseverance in the discharge of all your toilsome duties. 'In bidding you farewell, I give you all my most hearty thanks. May peace, prosperity and happiness ever be your reward. 'For me, the greatest honor,--greater far than I ever expected to achieve,--is the fact of having so long commanded, and at last led home in triumph and peace, the always dear and noble Third Minnesota Regiment. 'H. MATTSON, 'Colonel Commanding Regiment. 'P. E. FOLSOM, Lieutenant and Adjutant.'" During this war the Union army had mustered in 2,883,000 men, 400,000 of whom had lost their lives. To this army Minnesota contributed 25,052, or about one-seventh of her entire population. Of this number 2,500 were killed or died of sickness during the war, and it is calculated that 5,000 died since the war on account of wounds and diseases contracted during service. The Third regiment had, during four years' service, a total enrollment of 1,417, of which number there were left only 432 men when we returned in September, 1865. The war cost the Union about two billion, seven hundred million dollars. The sacrifice of gold and blood was not too great. Not only America, but the whole human race has gained more through the victories of our army than can be estimated in gold and blood. And the Scandinavians of the West may justly feel proud of the part they took in this struggle for liberty and human rights. CHAPTER VIII. My Reason for Taking Part in the Civil War--The Dignity of Labor--The Firm Mattson & Webster--_Svenska Amerikanaren_, its Program and Reception--The State Emigration Bureau of Minnesota--Its Aim, Plan and Work.