The national Republican., 1861-05-28


west Of Alexandria, on the Little River turn.
pike, and to the top of Shutters TIill on the
middle turnpike, near by. On the Washington
end Of the line occupied by the Uuited States
troops now in Alexandria county. Virginia, the
pickets extend from Hunters Chapel, on the
Columbia turnpike, to Baey's Cross Roads
thence to Taylor's tavern, two miles further
ont, and from Taylors, around the county road,
to where the Loudoun and Hampshire railroad
crosses Riey's branch; thence, by Balls Cross
Roads, back to Hunters Chapel thus com.
pletely cncircling Arlington Heights.
Captain Powells Washington Zouaves are
stationed at the Virginia end OF the Long Bridge,
aud Sherman's battery midway between that
poiut aud Columbia Springs.
PRESENTATION OF A FLAG TO TIE TWENTY.
FIFTH PENEsYLvANA REGIMENT.--On yester-
day afternoon, seven companies Of the twenty
fifth regiment Of Pennsylva proceeded to
the grounds east Of the Capitol building, for
the purpose of receiving q flag, presented by
| Col. Joseph W. Cake, of Schuykill county,
Pennsylvania, through Col. J. w. Fornoy, Clerk
Of the House Of Representatives. For some
time previous TO the presentation the various
streets leading to the grounds were crowded
with citizens and members of the various regi-
ments now in the city, vending their way to
the grounds.
Shortly after four o'clock. the regiment was
drawn up in a line by Major Campbell, who
now represents the Schuylkill district in the
lower House Of Congress. The regiment look
ed exceedingly well, and seemed on this occa
sion to have been completely changed and ap.
peared to a better advantage than they did
when they were in their old quarters, in the
Inauguration Ballroom. The officers of the
regiment advanced within few yards of Col.
Forney, and were addressed by him.
Col ForDey, addressing the officers and men,
said that he was there in the fuflment of o
duty imposed on him, and that it was a great
pleasure for him to perform it. He alluded to
the fact that these men were the first to enter
this city aud they might be emphatically called
the advance guard. They proceeded to this
city it was true, when there was no danger,
but they were ready to meet it. Those who
succeeded them (tbe sixth regiment of Massa-
chusetts) had to meet armed bands, arrayed
against our Government and against our flag.
The Pennsylvania regiment were not so well
prepared for al attack, because they were with.
out uniforms, and many Of them were without
arms. But they were called here because this
great capital was in peril, aud they were called
here by our distinguished countryman, the
President of the United States, for the defence
|
fend this great city, which the Father of his
Country had honored by naming its greatest
avenue the avenue which leads from the CnE
ito-after the good old State of Pennsylvania; /;
and it was we'll that her soldiers should be the
. first to come to its rescue.
Colonel F. proceeded to pay glowing trib.
ute to Pennsy lvania, and bid the men which
, he was addressing 10 stand fast to the emblem
Of civil and religious liberty, and put down re.
bellion wherever it should show itself He dc.
, nounced the rebel States as being guilty Of
falsehood, reputation. assassination, and mur.
der. There was not q term in the calendar OF
; crimes TOO strong to be used against them.
This regiment, he admitted, had been poorly
clothed and poorly provided for; but the cause
which they were engaged in compensated for
all the trials they would be called upon to
: pass through. He believed their cause was
Just, and he believed in God, but he had never
seen him. He had been taught by the mother
: who bore him, to reverence that God. He did
), reverence Him, but never had seen Him. But
:, this God pointing to the banner) he could see,
~ y and believed n and which he should reverence
', till death. In closing, Colonel +. conjured the
y !, soldiers to stand by that flag us the last hope
:, of the enjoyment Of civil and religious liberty
Major Campbell, on receiving the flag, thanked
o Colonel Forpey on behalf of the officers and mel
| composing tHe tWcuty'uItu repliHeut Vi 1 Gun
!, sylvania for the gift Of Colonel Cake, and the
=, worthy and patriotic citizens who had presented
\ the beautiful national emblem. He thanked
- Colonel Forney for the patriotic and noble sen
y timents which had escaped from his lips. He
said that that glorious banner-the emblem o
:. civil and religious liberty-sF ould ever float al
~ over this country. He referred to the fact tina
y the flag now before them had been carried
y through the Revolution. He wanted no rattle
y snake flag, or, that still meaner emblem, the
q" flag with its seven stars. lie wanted the flag
- with its thirty -four stars and thirteen stripes
% Not one would he permit to be oblterated.
Ie Major Campbell acknowledged that this regi
ment had been poorly provided for. Why, HI
. knew not But they were more than provided
- for, when they thought of the great cause the,
had undertaken to defend. They would pas
y y through any hardship and encounter any dan
= ger, when they knew they were defending th
, Starspangled Banner.
u He had heard that England was threatening
g. this country, but he had no fears of her. Th
y regiment.before him. like oil the rest Of the tru
o patriotic men Of this country, never stopped Il
Ss. humber the enemy. That banner was hi
'e earthly God, and he believed in it, and h
. would continue 10 serve that God, next to hi
% Maker, us long as life should last In conclu
'e ding, he said they would defend that flag to tn
- last extremity.
~ The guard then came forward with the en-
"a sign, aud the flag was put in his possession
= amid loud and repeated cheers, the band pei
u u forming the Star spanged Banner. Ate
y hearty congratulations on both sides, the crow
~, dispersed, aud the regiment returned TO it
nt quarters.
~ There were u large number Of citizens an
:" soldiers within the enclosure, but no doubt tn
y assembage would have been much larger, hu
% it not been for a misunderstanding between III
~ Guards and their commander. The order, W