The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1861-03-07
The piercstown Guards--Flag Presentation.

The Piercstown Guards---Flag Presentation.
l, was our privilege to witness the interesting
ceremonies connected with the presentation of an
elegant Flag to the E" Percetown Guards on Sat
urtlay last of which we made mention in our last
issue The day. was pleasant-thc balmy air and
bright sunshine might, under ordinary circum-
stances. have tempted us to forsake the dull mono
tony of the sanctum yet, when, in addition, We
sought to behold the votive Offering of Cardinals
patriotic daughters to those brave, stalwart sons
enrolled in her defence the pleasure could not be
lorcgone. And it was with happy emotions that
We journcyed thither, nothing t,anspiring by the
waysidc worthy OF public mention, though incl
dents Of private interest were not lacking
Arriving at Piercetown, eleven miles north of
this place, before the hour for parade, We had an
opportunity of minglng with friends and acquain-
tances and exchanging the usual congratulations
of the day. There was q large crowd present ut
an early hour, including fair proportion of the
ecntler sex. At IL o'clock the Guards , were
formed into line, under the command of Capt.
JAMES LONG. the Colonel also OF the 42d Regiment,
from the 1st Battalion Of which this corps of vol
untccrs was raised. Marching shor; distance,
The "Guards halted in front of the spacious
platform whercon the ladies had assembled After
music by the Pierceiown Band, our young friend,
Dr. GEORGE ". EARLE, in heat aud appropriate
manner, introduced the isr donors, When the pre-
senaion ceremonies proper began.
PRESENTATION ADDRESSES.
Advancing towards the front Of the platform,
with the beautiful ensign in hand, Miss McC. said:
PlEncErowX GUARDS: To the wcak-mindcd
Cnionist and the cowardly submissionist 10 Black
Republican rule, terrible are the events now trans
pirlng in our nations history. But to You, my
countrymcn-mcn of the Soulh-arc they not great
and glorious? This (rasing the tafercd cofors for
meyly uscd by the Reymen) is emblematical OF the
present condition Of the Union of our fathers. Over
its fate Ills useless TO indulge in c1trayasant lam
ertatiUns its destiny was not III The hands OF the
South. Northern imposition had become so great
that Southern lorbearance ceased to be virtue
South Carolina, our own noble Palmetto, was the
first 10 un.url Ike banner OF Southern freedom.
She has won for herself kurcls that will be written
upon the pages Of history and call forth the adnl-
ration OF irecmcn in all generations TO CONC. Her
ac;.on has met with approval-her example fol-
loved unit! seven gallant States have thrown oil
the yoke of oppression. They all now stand IN
martial array in defiance of cocrciyc threats. The
ina@inations OF our aggrcssors have swollen their
power and might moun,ain-high gh-if they attempt
TO force submission, it will not be found childs S
play. Er,yer hearts and rs good metal as they
can produce are ready to meet them.
1t will not come within the province of our sex
to shoulder arms but rest assured that helping
hands Will be given in any way that circumstances
MI. within reach hpSldcS. YOU Shall
have our sympa,hies and our prayers. we nave
nothing to fear when so many noble patriots are
ready to strike in defence of our homes.
As an humble testimonial of our interest in this
glorious cause accept from Miss E and myself
this banner Should the invaders of our soil rem
der ii necessary for you to meet thcm we KNOW II
will float proudly in the breeze while single SOL
dcr in your ranks is able to rally under It's foIds
and bear it aoft amid the storm of battle.
Miss E., receiving the flag, then addressed the
Guards as follows:
OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS: 1t was indeed with
feelings of qualification that we behcld you. during
the recent convulsion of our State true and firm IN
the cause of liberty and ready to sacrifice on the
altar of yonr country, life and fortune. And to
assure You the very high satisfaction which 1t at
fortls us il this carly theatre of your glory, when
we look 10 the motto of this banner, 1--WE strike
for our Homes that the brave hearts and strong
arms of the "Guards" will bear it untarnishcd
amid the din of battle, and proudly return from
the scene of conflict, exclaiming, Victory. victory
is ours!
And now, whilst in the midst of a threatening
revolution South Carolina, alike endcared to you
and to us. has taken her station among the inde-
pendent nations CT the earth; and in this noble act
of hers we rest assured that she will ever be cher
ished and protected by her brave volunteers, and
their associates in the field.
Soldiers of the Piercetown Guards, to your care
and protection we entrust this banner, as token
of our hearts deepest sympathies feeling that a
more pleasing duty could not devolve upon us than
that of presenting it to you, which we will now
exercise.
The clear, distinct voices, breathing words OF
patriotic fire and womanly impulse, fell not un-
needed on the hundreds who listened most intently
during the delivery of these addresses. They felt
impressed with the truth, that the ever-glorioua
spirit which animated and impelcd the women OF
Revolutionary date was not yet extinct; and that'
should grim-visagcd war show his wrlnkied 1foh'
and the stirring scenes of &c be re-enacted IN our
land. the women of to-day were ready to meet inc
consequences and noby assist in sustaining our
sacred cause.