The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-11
SWORD PRESENTATION TO MAJOR PARRISH
OF THE CALIFORNIA REGIMENT.

Major Robert A. Parrish, OF the California regiment
was, the evening of the 2sh Of November presented
with very beautiful sword, deliberately finished and
mounted in gold by number Of friends, TO commcmo
rate his gallant conduct on trying occasion Falls
Church. Virginia
Tic presentation made by Captain Charles Naylor
behalf Of Messrs Parker, Kenney and others at tho
81 Lawrence Hotel, Philadelphia, where a number of
friends gathered to witness the interesting ceremony
On presenting the gift Captain MAYOR said -
MAJOR PAREs--I have been requested BY your fellow
officers Of the California regiment the friends Of those
under your command 10 present to YOU their name
this sworda sword which any soldier might proud TO
receive but much more proud to have earned for it is
not presented as mere compliment but in the words of
The inscription on it's scahbard ~ or stngushcd stead
and valor September %. 1861, near Falls Church
Virginia We all remember the painful account Of the
events of that night a. furnished by the newspapers
reconnaissance by our troops, partly under your com
mand then being made III large force az midnight
when, by sad accident different dctachmenrs mis-
taking one another for enemies in the darkness and con-
fusion OF the moment opened their mutual fires against
their brethren II was you, as understand who dis
covered the mistake and hy your distinguished stcadi-
ness and vaor at great personal risk threw yourself
between the combatants, prev nted the firing
OF section OF artillery, at short range, be-
longing TO your (the California; regiment and which
the gunncrs were in the act OF dischargng In common
da,cn Of the services then rendered this sword Is now
presented you have doubt il has been nobv earned
and am will be CALAMITY worn and illustrated by
us wearer at all events know il will never be dis
honored. Military history II repete with mistakes like
they have been Of magnitude decide the fate OF bat
ties, and even that OF The man who can intui
lively as were detect and arrest them and order as
TO bring the whole confused body into military harmony
must have cool STEADY head. and the distinguished
qualities OF a soldier. Having myself been q soldier
knowing practically what think could have re-.
ceived no mark OF distinction for any services more
grateful TO my feelings than such that for which this
sword IS presented to you The sword cvilizer and
imposes on It's wearer great responsibility Throughout
all time nations and people have been found iD con.
ditions such as TO make an appeal to the all.
readily understood: but this IS no, the time o1
the place for its discussion II there ever was neees
sy for an appeal 10 the sword. that necessity exists
now and exists on the side on which you embarked
and on which yon have drawn yours. On side war
has been provoked and made for The purpose of es.
talshpg civilization upon q principle which carr led
out would barbarze and savagci2c the world on the
other side tina, war has been met by another prncpe
founded on mans claims 70 equal rights intended ira
terni2e, humani2e and Chrisan,Ze the world IN this
latter category you stand and have been honored by
the stand you have taken, and for the acts l
Receive IT, dear Major Parrish and use it in the
spirit IN which has been presented may the
God Of battles he with you.
Major Parrish received the sword ana in reply 10
Captain Nayor expressed himself as follows
cannot sufficiently express my Acknowledgements
captain, TO yourself 10 the Committee # Presentation
aud TO associates in this courtesy for unnertcd
manifestation II Kindness II Is true thai the coca
sion alluded 10, IL was my privilege 10 have prevented
the fire Of my own battalion from adding 10 the confusion
and disaster accomplished by that Of The First u
also my great rrivilegefur SO esteem ito have pre-
vented artillery from firing, short and fatal range
upon the Caorn y reg neG But these were simple and
obvious dutics-dutes which Cannot but think are
largely overcstnated by requita generous a. this.
Our ose Of eight killed and sixteen wounded was-undcr
the amcntabc circumstances OF the casc--nost truly
grievons. What IL might have been. had he anarchy
gone on only conjecture. But the per
however great, which was necessary to stay this mid
night and fraterna slaughter was nothing than
macy Of tho officers around would have most cheer
fully encountered. life OF peril il the normal
Of soldier. IN accepting, however, rich and bcan
full sword am not insensble 10 the obligations il I'M
poses While II is distinguishing honor must never.
tecss also regard perpetual atnonition to proye
ysef continually hereafter truly worthy Of the conf.
dence ai trust of which is the badge Such shall he
my constant effort, my duty and my hope And this
spirit oier You AGAIN, gentlemen, my unaffected thanks