Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-06-30
REPLY OF MAJOR HILL.

DAVIDSON COLLEGE, Nov 4th, 1888.
To His Ercellsncy, r. p "; AAston, GorernoJ,
&C., &c.
DEAR S1R:-Your letter of the 18th ultimo er-
closing Resolutions of the General Assembly in re-
gard to the presentation of q sword, reached me
three or four days ago.
Love for and pride in his native State is the
birth-right of every Carolinian. A token of re-
gard from her must then be peculiarly gratifying
to her sons.
To win that regard, is among the cherished OBJ
iects of life with all worthy of being called her
children This noble aspiration has made her
Statesmen incorrnptible in Council, and her own
Palmettos invincible on the field of battle. It
was nv fortune to stand on the beach ofVera Cruz
by the side of full blooded Vermont Yankee,
when the noble Regiment from our glorious State
filed past in all the pomp of war; their serrled
ranks then unwasted by disease and the havock
Of arms He gazed for some time upon the gal
liant host with silent admiration and then exclain-
ed aloud I use his wordsl 'those fellows are OBJ
liged to fight well, they have so much damned
State pride"
All. that State pride never forsook them for o
moment; not even when their intrepid leader was
struck down, and when the best blood Of Carolina
was flowing like water upon the plains Of Churu-
busco. They still remembered that far distant
cheers, wild rush, and hurried conflict, the en-
trenchments of the enemy were won
But, sir, do not suppose that the desire ofState
approbation was confined entirely toshat chival-
rous regiment 1t was shared equally with them
by the graduates of West Point, serving in the
regular army. 1t burned brightly in the breasts
of the lamented Williams, Stuart, Calhoun, Noble,
Screeyen, Reeves and Deas. 1t stimulated HUI
ger, and made him. next to Scott, the right arm
| of the army, and without compeer in zeal, eff
cheney and untring industry. 1t nerved the arm
of Anderson, Jones, Rhett, and Bee, and carried
them sswhere blows were heaviest and favors
fewest." 1t was my lot to serve with the last
named officer in the storming party against the
Castle of Chapultepec. We had hoor for bed,
and one blanket in common for covering, the
night proceeding the assault. l remember well
his last words before we fell asleep: 'f we
live through tomorrow, the old State will remem-
| ber US"
| mention this, but to show that under no cir
cumstances of danger, privation and death, Gun
O true Carolnian ever be Indifferent to the opln-
ion of his native State. 1t matters not how long
he may have been separated from her, and how
little hope he may have Of ever again being en-
rolled among her citizens.
| 7 trust, sir, that am behind none in my deyo-
tion to South Carolina. am sure that none can
be more proud of her exalted patriotism, her un-
sullied honor, and her long catalogue of illustr-
Gus names. 1 am sure that none can be more
grateful for testimonial of her esteem. Permit
me, then, to return, through your Excellency, my
grateful Acknowledgements to the Legislature for
this distinguished mark of their consideration
Allow me, also, to thank your E1cellency, per
sonally, for the complimentary terms in which
you have been pleased to convey the wishes OF
that body; and especially for the happy signif-
cance of the emblems and devices suggested by
YOU to the manufacturer of the sword 1t en-
hances the gift ten-fold, in my estimation, that
it will ever remind me Of brave old Carolina, OF
the Military Academy ut West Point, your alma
Mater as we'll as mine, and Of that institutions
best friend and most efficient patron-Carolin's
greatest son, the worlds purest and abest states
| man.
With great respect,
Your obedient servant,
[Signed] D. II. HILL.