Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-04-25
RAILWAY MATTERS.

The FLAG PRESENTED TO THE Rock CRY GUARDS
The beautiful flag presented to Company B, Rock
CITY Guards, of which we made mention Yesterday
was made by Mrs. H. A. KITcH. and Misses FANNIE E
claiborne, LAURA V. CLAIBORNE, Cattle Cam and
INoOEN CAIN, and was presented to the Company on
their behalf by Miss FANNIE CLAIBoRNE On pre-
senting the flag Miss CLAIBORNE said
CAPTArx CRAlGHEAD: Feelinq.las does every true-
hearted woman in the land deep and thrilling in
teres in the noble enterprise in which YOU are about
10 embark, we have prepared this flag, to be pre-
scented through you 70 the company of brave and
gaan. hearts you represent this occasion. 1t is
an offering of womans patriotic devotion-an offer
ing TO those who TO go forth to fight in the
cred cause of our common country. Our bright
and beautiful South our own green land is about
to be invaded by horde of vandal bayonets, and
you have nobly responded to the call for "strong
arms and brave hearts" to repel the coming storm.
You go forth TO welcome the insoent foe,
md believe me, our warmest sympathies and
lr uneeasing prayers will 60 with you to the field
d conflict and our voices of supplicatlon VIII min
Lle with the thunder of your guns and appeal TO
heaven in your behalf. With upturned faces and
dreaming eyes we will beseech the God of Battles,
who guides and CONTROLS the destinies OF nations to
crown your arms with victory, and rescue our
eouRtry from the dread ravages OF civil strife.
When the hour for your departure comes-wh
ne alarm-drum summons you TO the held--we shall
bid you farewell with the high heroic spirit which
inspired the bosom Of the Spartan mother when she
ave into the hands of her sodierson the shield of
Ter country, with the lofty words, "Either this or
Ipon this And when the battle is fought and the
'ictory wOn We your sisters, will welcome you
ack with glad smiles the daring heroes of glo>
ious fight Our country demands your aid to
rec her from the insults and oppression of ty-
annie Government, and we see you go forth in re.
pOnse to that call with proud consciousness that
very impulse Of your hearts will inspire you to |
refer an honorable death to ignobe submission to
he oppressor. Weplace in your hand this flag that
Is folds may wave over you in the dark hour of |
onct and recall TO your minds the recollection that
our mothers, your sisters and your children are |
raging at your fresides for your triumph and /
our safe return. We cannot go with you to the /
ED but our hearts shall be with you and when the
ark wing of battle shall shadow your pathway |
nd the iron hail of death shall smIte your manly |
reasts, oh, believe then that our earnest wishes
Ike invisible inteligences, prsyer-winged and hope
frightened, are with you, and let them nerve your
rms to strike deadlier blow for your affairs, your
omes-for your country and for
Stake this banpsr7 and beneath
The battle clouds encircing wreath,
Guard itl--ill our homes are free:
Guard III God viii prosper theel
In the dark and trying hour,
In the breaking forth Of power,
In tAe rush Of steeds and mn,
His right hand will shield thee then
Take this banner aud IL e'er
Thou should press the sodies S bier,
And the mufiea drum should beat,
To the tread OF mournful feet,
Then this nournful flag shall be
Martial cloak and shroud for thee"
The flag was received on behalf of the Company
y Capt JAMES B. CRAIGHEAD, who said:
LADIEs.-The Banner under which Tennessee no.
ly fought at New Orleans, at Buena Vista, and on
ne plains Of Mexico, and which is yet by law orr
az, has been desecrated: wherever it floats, be-
cath 1t gathers armed hosts, anxious by civil war
} devastate this fair country. Shall it be done
'orbid il Heaven! As one man the gallant youth OF
he South spring to arms to repel the invading ty-
ant. Wives yield up husbands, mothers their sons
} swell the ranks of those who while they
ght in freedom cause, yet in the eyes of dip
macy but infamous Rebels. Rebels! Aye-such
ebels as our grandsires were who met the hireling
osts of England's king and drove them headlong
ito the sea-
As yet part of the United States-stlll we are
eady TO fight the United States-but under what
Olors! We own no flag but the stars and stripes. |
on, ladies, suggest, and offer this beautiful flag
Ow the glorious Banner of neighborDg Republic
a Republic which is one with us in interest, one
feeling, one IN destiny one in resistance TO tyran
y 10 the bitter end.
Then spread this Banner to the breeze-and let
show our sympathy with our Southern friends | (
hould our Legislature enable US to throw off our
legiance 10 the tyrant North aud should it assume
flag for the Independent State of Tennessee, un-
er that flag shall we be found. Whatever may be
he destiny of noble ate, whether she elects
stands alone in the grandure of solitary ndepen-
ence whether she will Join herself with her
ster States of the South the bonds of political
nifty, this flag shall ever be preserved and valued
y the Rock City Guards as q testimonial of the ap-
rotation of the patriotic ladies of Nashville.
For myself and my command thank you for this
eautiful present.
Col Thos. L. BRANsPORD then addressed the as
,mbly in few eloquent remarks, when the band
ru. up, and the Company proceeded to their reg
lar afternoon drill.