The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-11-08
Another Company from Rhea.


from the gallant old Rhea, commanded by Capt.
Al. CAwooD, met at this place for the purpose
Of making start to Headquarters at Knoxville,
and bidding adieu to the loved ores left behind.
Before their departure, however, the Ladies, who
are ever ready to stimulate us in any good work,
presented the Company with beautiful Banner,
through Miss MARY RoBrssos, who dclivcrcdthc
following beautiful and patriotic Addressi ,i.a
Gallant Captain and Brape Piney Boys. The
cause that you to In just and righteous
one. Already has our sunny South been invaded
by an unprinciped foe. Already has Southern
soil been stained by the blood of the brave and
noble sons of tho South, who feared not to die in
their co1ntrys defence. You, initiating their sx-
ample, have nobly enlisted at ynur countrys call
True, you are not the FIRST upon the tented field.
ye; we expect you NOT To sSrink or filter in the
hour Of battle. take pleasure, therefore, Capt.
Cawood, to present to thealth Company of Rhca
county volunteers, through you, this banner..-
Although it is not us fine and gaudy ms sonsJ
trust It's enough that it is the true flag of the
South the striking colors red, white and blue
the proud cnblems of love, purity and fdelity.A
Keep il unstoined by any act Of cowardiee-ihay
you ever be able, when necessary to bear it 10
battle with a strong heart aud steady mein amid
the roar Of cannon and rattle Of musketry Cling
to it, and if need be- die by it.
Although we are net permitted to share with
you the tolls and hardships of camp life. DUR ID
terest in YOUR success is none the less. You are
almost ready to bid farewell to your nearest and
dearest friends on earth--some their wivcs moth
ors and sisters; il may he for short time, but,
alas! it may be iorevor--thc heme of earth you
may never see agnin--thc music Of home voices
may never again greet your ears, but il heaven
orders il SO, may angels hands supply your dying
wants and watt your immortal spirits to cline
where the noise Of battle will be heard no more.
Accept now this last favor. May you all live to
follow this standard back home and place il in
tho hands of those who gave it, to be kept in
memory of the brave "Piney Boys" 'u fIara.
The banner was received by DR.. ]. L. AnER-
yArIiY, who responded to the speech as follows.
Called upon to receive this handsome banner
without much timo for reflection, must confess
my inability to respond in q style commensurate
with the occasion, or the manner your felicitous
remarks properly indicate and demand. But any
deficiency on my part, in the reception of this
beautiful emblem Of Southern Independence, I
hope and trust will be regarded with that leniency
charity is ever ready to bcstow upon the unfortu-
nate. For this flag, gotten up, ms learn lin much
haste, yet in elegant style, and for the very com
pliincntary terms in. which you have been pleased
to alludo to the gallant "Piney Boys, L tender
you and the ladies of the vicinity our sincere re-
girds and patriotic devotion. Let me assure you
we will ever cherish with proud RECOLLECTION this
occasion. this ensign. and those WHO gave it,
that stain of dishonorishals arnish its bright
folds-no act of ours will cansa you to regret the
donation. ,,.r,y -,, .t.,I, oi,gy -
When Constantine marched ont to give battle
to the Pagans Of the world, he was at d loss for
sign that would inspire and animate his soldiers t.
| heroic action when tho hour of conflict was al
1 hand--something that would ever keep porma
ncntly before their minds their cause and thcil
duty. In the middle of the night, before a grea,
| battle, he is said to have had vision He look
ed up to the skies and bcheld, painted with the
splcudor of the sun, II cross surrounded by these
words: "By this sign I conquer" Constantine
transferred his vision to his banners, and his le-
| gion marched on to victory and renown "By
| this sign" tlien, moving above our, heads VIC in
tend to conquer. Wherever these itribands kiss
the breeze, the land shall be Free. 1t Is our bea.
con-lght and we will sustain it with such heroisn
and devotion as will further Illustrate the proud
history of Tennessee history, though brief
| fraught with daring deeds OF hcrocs-a history
| that challenges the admiration of the WORLD
Let Us pause for a moment to speak of it. W,
| do not have to go back into tho twilight Of histo
| ny to trace her noble career. Not q century agt
| and Tennessee was one vast unbroken Wilderness
| now she has population of million, living il
the highest state of civilization. Unaided by an,
| government, the hardy pioneer pushed across tn,
mountains that line our Eastern border, drov,
back the savage foe and planted the germ which
by the nnlTishmcnt and fostering care of wisdom
has developed the present magnificent PROPORTION
of II great commonwealth. Although not one o
| the Original thirteen" yet, when they were in
vhdcd by foreign foe, her chivalrous sons seize,
! their nnerrng rides and marched far down tn
Atlantic slope, TO Kings Mountain, and there dc
| feated England's brayest warriors turning tn
tide of the revolution that resulted in the liberia
ton of America. They were at the Horse Shoe
Talladega and Emuefaw. Thcy went down t.
New Orleans, and again drove the naughty Brit
tons beyond the seas. They passed through tn
blaze that lit up the national road from Resaec
lie 10 Palma to the ancient Halls of Montazuma
baptizing themselves in blood. Who is not prom,
| Of being Tennessecan On every occasion
from her infancy to her present glory and prid
| Of strength, Tennessee has done more than an
other State for the national defence Of govern
ment that is now seeking her degradation, he
ruin, her destruction. For the first time in he
history she is threatened with invasion. For tn
first time she is called upon to defend her ow
virgin soil. She now sounds the tocsin Of wa
loud and shrill, from the mountains to the Missis
sippi, calling upon her valiant sons to come
the rescue. The vanda hortles of the North ar
making every effort to bring all the horrors {
war to our homes They would crimson the mui
ihuring brooks with the blood of our father
brothers and sons, They would purple the fiel
with the rich blood OF those you love. The
would place our mothers, wires and children
the merciless power and vengeance Of rufian so
diers. Will these contingencies ever como? ?
Never! while freeman walks the soil of Tcnne
see Never, while the memory of our ancestr
lives SO green and fresh with grateful posterity
Never, until chivalry and freedom becomes di
graceful and cowardice and tyranny honorable
Ii they attempt to cross the Northern border, o,
"black throated dogs of war" will utter tones th
will resOund from peak to peak, and down Il
mountains deep gorges, across the hills to Il
father of waters-the line will ring with the In,
sic of the rifle and tho melody of muslletry.
they meet our forces at the Gap they will find nj
other Thermopylea7-if West of that anoth
Waterloo. But if, by superior numbers. tn,
gain an advantage "we will dispute every inch
ground" rase every house, burn every blade
grass, and tho last entrenchment of liberty shi
be our graves. With freedom, the choice betwe,
death and dishonor is neither difficult. nor doub
full. 'aH -.fsfl. aarljAAl
Fellow-sodiers! This is our flag. We will ra
ly around it in the storm of battle; we will raj
around it in the hour Of victory or tho hour of d
feat 1t shall be pillow of cloud by day and
pillow of fire by night, and before we ingorious
surrender it lot pour out blood as libati,
, upon the altar of our country. If it should i
goriously trail in tho dust, hope q just God W
not permit ono to return to tell its sad fate.
I now pass it to the proper officer, accompani
with the words of Lord Nelson, before the fall
Trafalgar: at is expected that every man will
, his whole duty" lH..... # sol o.
After which. tho Company won't to Brady
Ferry to await the coming Of the steamer Tcnnc
sec which soon hove in sight made landin
and took them Oh their way amidst loud huzza
for the piney Boys. Yours, Q q 2 S0Lp '76."
EWr The New York Journal Of Cor
merce admits that there is strong Lar
g earnest feeling among the people Of Il
Nn,,h ear ,aooo0 al1idIA TDfgBqut
q MN. W. loa,,, f,A,,, tlo A ~, a,;o,,, 10,