The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1861-04-27
Ottaba free Grabtr.
LOCAL. MATTERS
Off for the Wars.


ago Wednesday, the scream OF the ear
piercing five, and roll of the spirit stirring
drum, have been ceaselessly kept up, SO
that the echo reverberates in our brain
whether we sleep or wake. First the
company of Capt. Haughtling was made
up; then Capt. w. L. Gibson took the
field, and in day or two his company
was full; then Capt. 7. c. Gibson hung
out the flag, and in day or two more also
had full company. The station is
now the head quarters of the Irish COM
pany, whose list We learn is also nearly
full
Business has been nearly suspended, all
the talk of our people being war, all their
| occupation recruiting, getting up clothing,
and running after telegraph dispatches,
and reading the latest daily papers. Not
only are the men folks thus occupied but
the ladies are deeply in the business also.
They have made and presented no less
than three beautiful silk flags within the
| week, and are now about all employed
with the busy needle in making up cloth
ing to be sent to those who have left, and
for others 10 follow.
Capt. Haughlaling's and Capt w. L.
Gibson's companies were accepted as soon
as reported and received marching orders
to leave here on Monday. Not only the
try tlocked in to see the soldiers Oft They
We're to go by the train at O clock. About
the companies were ready Capt Taught
alings company was then marched to the
Court House square where large body
of ladies, with many thousand citizens
awaited them to participate in and witnest
the ceremony Of presenting a flag to the
company. The flag, which was of beaut.
full wrought silk, gorgeously embroidered
and decorated with the appropriate nation
al emblems, was paesented on behalf of
the ladies, in a neat and happy speech by
Capt O. =. GRAY, and was accepted by
Capt Ueughlaling on behalf of the COM
pany, with expressions Of profound emo
! ton.
The company OF Capt. W. L. GIBSON was
marched to the residence of Miss Sarah
Miles, where a similar flag was presented
/ to them by the ladies, Miss ELLEN FISHER
acting as spokesman. AS her speech was
short, and very neat, we give it in her own
words
! BELOVED SOLDIERS We present you this
/ banner 1t is the Flag of our native land
/ 1t represents cur dearest hopes for coun-
/ try, home, and life. Cr hands have made
| 1t, yoars must defend it: and if needed for
/ that purpose, the choicest blood in your
I veins, we doubt not, will be freely poured
out. Our best wishes attend you Our
prayers VIII follow you; and if you fall in
your countrys cause, we promise that your
names shall be often spoken with tender
pride, SO long as We shall live See to il
that this tia- is never insulted with i'm
punity- God bless you; and God bless
our native land. FAREWELL
This speech was responded to on behalf
of the company by Maj. Wallace, in a
speech of glowing eloquence.
The companies We're then escorted Il
the depot by the Niagara and Undine Fire
Companies, or as many of them as were
not In the ranks, and by monster pro
cession of citizens and ats clock, amids
many sad farewells, spoken with deepes
emotions, the companies left on the cars
for the tented field
Capt. j. L. GIBsoXs company on Tues
day received notice of their acceptance
accompanied with orders to march oil
Wednesday. On Wednesday, accordingly
the company was ready and previous t.
their departure another ceremony of pre-
sentation was witnessed in the Cour
House square Geo. C. Campuell on be
half of the ladies, presented the company
flag and Julius Avery, Esq, on behal
of another committee of ladies, presented
to Capt Gibson splendid knight Tenn
plar sword, with silver case and mounting
&c The company was escorted to the
depot by Capt. Reeds and Burleson'
companies, by the Fire Companies, citi
zens, &c, and promptly at 3 o'clock lief
in the cars for Springfield.
Thus within a week have gone from o,
tawa over 800 men ard we may say with
out atfectation, they are the flower of on
young population Most of them wer
young men Of itelligence in comforta bl
circumstances, and to whom pecunaril
and in all the ordinary comforts of life tn
joining the army is a sacrifice.