The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-04
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

DEAR SIR have the honor herewith, TO transmit the
sword which my predecessor would have put in your pos
November last had not the condition of his health
prevented him from attending his public duties
obedience the following preamble and
Hutton of the legislature, adopted in December 1917
Whereas ih- gaIIantry of General Shields in the Mex
war, which has won for him the and graft,
ude the whole American people, is douby appreciated
by State of South Carolina by reason OF his connsxon
with the Palmetto regiment
II o'eed unanimously by the Senate, Che House
currn) That governor be instructed, behalf of the
State, have prepared and to be presented to General
Shields, sword with appropriate embems and devices,
as testimony ofits high estimation OF his gallant bearing
in tie Mexican war; and as tribute OF gratitude Tor his
pa rental attention to the Palmetto regiment
At their Ca pito and Metropolis the constituted autho
ties and large number of the citizens of this State had
opportunity personally testify ing the high estimation
they your distinguished services in the Mex
campaign This feeling, strong and ardent as was
scarcely need you, pervadcd the whole State
For a long while the devoted leader OF the Palmetto reg-
ment you identified with its honor and welfare
that South Carolina would have wept over your fall
with all the aifectonae grief which the death OF the
noble Butler and Dickinson universally elected
While the mind dwells with ennobng emotions the
few survivors of the band you led to victory and go-
ry it involuntarily you, sir, its com
manLcr who on every occasion, exhibited all the
tal attributes of the accomplished soldier and gentleman
In expressing happiness in being the official organ of
presenting YOU the OF the Palmetto State this
Sigh, testimonial of the in which it holds your late
services Il the of war;
| have the honor to be, yonr obcdient servant,
WHITEMARSH b. SEABROOK.
| Gen JAMES SHIELDS.
WASHINGTON, March z, 1919.
DEAR SIR have the honor acknowledge tho receipt
of the which you have been pleased transmit
me in the of South Carolina. No language can ex
press the estimate put upon this truly magnificent gift
Il is mark OF consideration which have the slight
est claim but which is, that very account only the
more evncive of the generosity and magnanny your
State NV only merit consists in having had the good
fortune to lead body of men who would have fought
and conquered fought and persisted, under any lead
err. This devoted courage is clearly attesed by the
fate of the Palmetto egment 1t lMhded at Vera Cruz
one of finest in the service, about eleven hundred
strong. and it mustered only about hundred fit
for duty after the capture Of the city of Mexico In one
gementI should rather say ge-at the bat
its colonel and colonel and yet it never latter
ed or step, until the enemy complete
y routed At the time, united the most gentle hn-
many with this dauntless courage. A vanuuished
enemy never failed find generous friend in victorious
| Palmetto.
While South Carolina may well rejoice in the rich har
yes, of glory rcaped by her in Mexico has
to mourn ever fall of many gallant spirit whose loss
has dearly purchased that updyng glory No Caronian
yep o, er the fall the noble Butler and Dickinson with
more Heartfelt grief than did and adverse fate can
ever oiteatc tho proud recollection that once the
com pan on in arms of such gallant mon, that had
shared their fate, (Which would have been the glorious
fate that cou await me should have shared with them in