Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-02-19
PRESENTATION OF THE FLAG TO OUR
VOLUNTEERS.

We turn with pleasure from The recital OF the
scenes recently enacted in Washington to record
the following account of The presentation ot the
dag voted by the Legislature IL our regiment u
v5untcess, part Of which is now al Old foin'
The remarks OF Gov. Smith are both eloquent
and appropriate, and the reply OF Colonel Ham
lramck in excellent las;e. Honor 10 Inc flag OF
me Old Dominion May il ever fioaIi triumph
over The gallant soldiers who have so credllaoiy
and periodically rallied around II
On presenting the flag 10 Col. HamtramcR' uoV
Smith spoke as follows:
Friends. tel!ow-cizens and soldiers: II Is
made nv duly TO deliver TO you this Flag, winch
cur State presents 10 her Regiment OF volunteers
as her proudes, and most cherished gilt. On the
one side YOU will see The imperial bifd oil our
common country, The emblem oil our powerful
Confederation. with ouslrelched pinion, soaring
smids, vel never leaving our glorious conslella-
ZION and bearing in his talons, in the motto ~
Piuribns Unun,," the embodiment 81 misn'y
roth. pregnant with warning and admontion.-
But il is on the other side We must look, anu uc-
l;oht 10 look, ih The pride and devotion oil sons
II me mother OF us ALL There you will see The
Genirs of our Slale-a magnificent woman--her
name Virginia armed with spear and sword
-,r,molinp tyranny under her feet, and exclaim-
;,a q S;C SINNER ivrauais This device, adopted
IN I,ly l776 by our General Assembly, iypifles
,he Struggle Of that day. George The 81, having
determined 10 enslave Young America, sent his
amhauled hosts 10 these shores--our ancestors
mri lhem-and after long and arduous conhcr
on The plains OF York, almost in sight a the spot
mon which we stand, struck the lyrant 10 The
earth. and not one State only, bnt thirteen con-
federated States in one mighty dcep-onea shout,
exclaimed $50 @mPsr uranus
This flag is Ia be unurled only upon regimen
,al para,cs and upon The fiela OF balie. II is
m, + inner OF The brave and the free; and after
YOU shall have performed your duty, and won
for Yourselves a soldiers name, il is 10 be return
FL 10 he planted in The Capitol OF our Stale, near
III. statue Of The Father Of his Country This
association will be proud and glorious disinc-
lion, that will make this Regiment immortal
Accused, then, be The man who shall permit this
aas 10 be captured or dishonored!
Volunteers! am gratiied 10 believe, that in
appointment and equipment, you will 60 TO The
field under the most favorable circumstances
Substantial comfort and neaness OF appearance,
have .been carefully consulted. Your ID ON
GERS already know soldiers duty, having hereto
| fore borne arms in many a stricken field in the
service Of their country.
| Vulun,cersi You are Of the lard OF Washing
ION. Of Gaines, OF Scott and nj Tayor-and The
eye OF The country is upon you. More VIII or
| expected from YOU Than from The Regiments from
oher States; and Virginia is confident that This
| cx pecialiou vii. noble disappointed -,...- %
borne in mind, never 10 &c forgotten, that strict
obedience 10 hose in authority constitutes The et.
/ fective valuable soidier-preserves him in camp
and makes him invincible in baule. II was an
| inhexibe maxim of Roman discipline that a
soldier should dread his officer more than his enc
nv Ana your highest duties are 10 obey your
oficers-rrver 10 desert vonr colors, and die, j
requisite, for your country. Do this, and my life
| upon it, you aredestined 10 high position in The
chronicle OF Fame
Volunteers! yours is a proud position. Al
the call OF your country you leave The active hu-
| sness of life The ease and endeafments of home,
and vouniaril; encounter hardshps and priva-
lions, disease and il may be, death. II is sub.
lime spectacle, and both points moral and will
adorn tale, and must give you high place in
The confidence and affections ot your county,
The humblest man among you, who shall re-
lurn will he sought b. ALL even The hghest-and
his tales Of The cowled monk and Of The children
III the sun, and oil his own dangers b. flood and
field will be listened 10 with greedy ear. Yes
soldiers,
'He that outlives this and comes safe home,
viii stand on tiptoe, when this rar is named"
Soldiers! you have my hearty and anxious
wish for your safe and glorious return.
Governor Smith, at the conclusion OF his re-
marks, handed the flag TO Colonel HamIramck
who replied as follows:
Governor This flag voted BY the General As
sembly Of the Commonwealth Of Virginia 10 hel
hrs, Regiment Of Volunteers and presented By
your EIcelleucy in glowing strains OF patriotic
eloquence tes-in language TOO graphic 10 be
misunderstood our beloved Virginia ey
PEGS of her regiment. Her honor-pure, hal
lowed, bright with this banner is committed IL
our hands; and DO mol promise loo much wher
assure your Excellcncy lhal-judging of the
materials constituting my command-we will, n
least, return the sacred gift 10 the Capiiol-wher
our service is ended-as unspolled and unlarnishec
as we received il.
Whenever unurlcd in battle, its azure fold:
will cheer US on and whilst floating over oui
heads-ihe magic name Of Virginia shining il
euers 0; gold upon lis sllken waves-Ihe rcg
men may learn how TO die, but mol 10 surrender
n