Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-07-19
Presentation OF II Banner.

A beautiful silk fAg, prepared by the ladies
Of South Caroline, was or Tuesday evening
presented to Col. Wade Hamp,on's Legion,
now encamoed near this city. 1t was present
ed through HIS ESceliency, President Davis,
A correspondent Of the Dispatch thus de,
scribes the presentation
THE Legion was formed into three sides ofa
square to receive the President, who appeared
OH g grey horse, accompanied by Col. HAmp'
.on aud stat. Many IF us never saw the
nero OF Blena Vista before, and his appear.
ance differed somewhat frcIu what We had fan.
| cied. HIS keen, calm eye ulono indicated the
warrior. while the serene expression OF coun.
tenancc and plain, Simple manner Of his bear.
| ing, denoted more the student and statesman.
Advancing a few psceS in the hollow OF the
square, he took the beautiful banner with evl.
dent emotion, and addressed his friends and
fellow-scldiers Of South Carolina in tones and
words that stirred their bosoius With feelings OF
pride and devotion 10 their native State, and
that moistened the eyes OF many with the mem
cries Of her pas; achievements in the Old
Revolution, and on the CORY fields Of Mexico.
He told the Legion that the h,g was the work
Of the fair fingers of the descendants Of Darby,
and Williams, and Cauphell, The heroes OF
Kings Mountain, and Cowpers and Eu:aw.-
| Msultrie had first unfuried the lag Of the
| Union on the walls OF Fort Moultrie, and JAS
per rescued it on the glorious day of victory.
lie knew Carolinians Oh the bloody plains Of
| Mexico, when they bore their banner, dipped
IN blood, from victory 10 victory. Here was
another banner entrusted to their keeping, and
before him stood the men to preserve II from
defeat and, like the heroes Of Chelubusco,
;hey would hand it from one to another until
the last man falls, or plant it triumphant on .
conquered field. lie weS sorry, he said, that
he could not bid them hope The smiles Of peace
would Danish from our loved country the dark
clouds Of war, for he felt that we had harlships
to endure, prlvations 10 bear-great deeds To
do. For himself, he mad not come to the ofise
he occupied for its honCr, but TO share its per-
lis aud when Carolina levels her bayonets
for the last charge, he hoped to be with them.
lie intended 10 DC where men bleed and die.
With saperaddvd confidence AMI pleasure, he
committed the beautiful flag in the hands OF
Col. Hampton, as the Son Of q noble gentle
man, and the grandson of 4 gallant cotnmsr.
der of &c"
Three times three were enthusiastically
given for Jetfs Davis, and after the band had
played a fine air, Col. Hampton replied
THAT, coming, as it did, from the hands Of
one revc,cnced and honored throughout the
length and breadth CT the whole Southern
country, tins h.g, in itself demanding the
highest feelings OF pride and reverence, with
brightest memories Of Curoiina clustering
around it, WIS douhly valued. He would nsk
his followers to defend it." He asked them to
"look upon It's Palmetto tree and silver ores.
~cent"-then, turning to Sergeant Darby, he
said: 10 you | commit the sacred trust, !
knowyou well-you must remember that you
are the grandson Of q patriot and hero"
On taking it, Sergeant Darby briefly replied,
that it was his pride and pleasure to be the
bearer of that beautiful banner; that while
life lasted it would never 90 down before the
enemy, and if it did fall, his cpitapll would be
written on its folds"
Every eye rested londly on the silver cres.
cent and memory moving Palmetto, as the
gorgeous flag loaled first over the heads Of
the Legion, aud every heart there resolved that,
If it must ever fall. there would be no Caro-
lima eye to gaze upon its fall.