New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-04-29

one OF those scenes of feeling and enthusiasm which
we have so often, Of late, been called upon to
| describe.
At kenner, they were met by the down-train,
having on board Capt Wngfeld's St. Helena Rife
men. The companies cheered each other Justify,
and the Rifles enYed the Guards their luck in being
Off 50 much sooner than them for the seat Of war.
| FLAG PRESENTATION TO THE DE SOTO RIFLES.
Inns line company, under command of Captain
| ". b. koontz, numbering some sixty strong,
turned out yesterday morning, preceded by a
| splendid band Of music, to receive a flag to be
presented By the ladies of New Orleans The corps
| left the armcry at 8 o'clock, marching down Camp
aud Charities streets, and ont Esplanade, on the
way to the residence of Judge I. W. Collens Of
the First District Court, where flag was present
ed to the company by miss IdGae Collens, daug1l-
ter OF the Judge, on behalf Of the fair donors.
When the company had formed into line, tie fair
| speaker advanced on the balcony with the flag of
| the Confederate States, bearing the seven stars,
ana in clear and distinct voice, delivered the fol-
| lowing address: 49,
Address IpEALfE CeLLESs.
When DeSoto, that daring pioneer discovered
ana LraYefsed the territory now occupied by the
seven original Confederate States and when he be-
held the forests the banks of rivers and the hills
with wild flowers; and When from this beautiful
aspect ne fan would have given the name of Flo
rda to the whole region, little did he imagine that
a day would come when the savage who roamed
from one hunting ground to the other, would be
finally superseded by civilized man, with his won
derful arts, transforming frai wigwams into pal
aces, discarding the light canoe for the gigantic
steamers and planting in the place of the yaria-
gated, but unfruitful adornments of uncnltvated
nature, those boundless fields of another flower of
equal beauty and superior worth. Where the
CANDY bFoIdery OF nature once bl0omed the cotton
plant spreads out over the broad expanse of States
emheilishing them with its snowy fleece exuberant
with riches to the dligent gaherer, and laden with
benefits to the world.
Nay. more! Behold, where once was the flow
cry wilderness great States have arisen, and proud
nations OF men, jealous of right and determined
to maintain that right, even in battle array, and
unto death or victory, nar5hang their legions,
enthusiastically responding TO the calls of indie
pendeRce and justice.
Among those who are thus rushing forward to
the rescue of this land, so lovely and so loved our
trembling, yet hopeful hearts have distinguished
the DeSoto Rifles. In your ranks we recognize
those to whom we are bound by the ties Of blood
and the associations Of friendship. Receive then
from your mothers and sisters, from those whose
ahections greet you, these coors, woven by our
feeble, but reliant hands; and when this bright
flag shall float before you on the battle field let it
not only inspire you with the brave and patriotic
ambition Of the soldier aspiring to his own and his
country honor and glory; but, also, may it be
them from fanatical and heartless foe and let it
be token that under the shelter of the homes you
are defending, our ardent and continual prayers
ascend to heaven foryo safety and your triumph.
After the delivery of the address, Color-sergeant
Braughn advanced with his Corporals, and receiv-
ing the flag, with uncovered head replied in behalf
of his company as follows:
Lddies-With high-beatng hearts and pulses
throbbing with emotion, we receive from your
hands this beautiful flag, the proud emblem of our
young Republic 1t could not have been offered at
more propitious time; now, when the heavens
look dark, and war is almost upon us-When the
youth Of the land, in obedience to their countrys
call are leaving the peaceful avocations of every
day life, to become actors in the stirring scenes
about to take place, all ready and willing to lay
down their lives in defence of their riehts and their
country honor Now, your gift is doubly precious
to US, coming as it does, from those who would
weave garlands of victory for our return or shed D
ter for those who fall in their country's cause.
There are moments in life which are engraved in
indeiibe characters the tablets of memory, and
which cannot be eiaced until the world is shut
from view. such moment is this to US. To those
VINO may return from tile field of battle bearing
this flag in triumph though perhaps tattered and
torn, this Incident will always prove a cheering
recollection during the roll of time and flow Of
years; and to him whose fate it may be to die a
soldiers death, this moment brought before Ills
fading view, will recall your kind and sympathetic
words, he will include you i'll the prayer for the
dear ones he has left behind and bless you, as his
spirit axes its aerial fight.
Beneath this bright panopy we fling thee to the
breeze. May the God of battles look down upon
us as we register soldiers vow, that stain shall
ever be found upon thy sacred folds save the blood
OF those who attack thee, Of those who fall in
thy defence. Comrades, you have heard the
pledge; may it ever guide and guard you on the
tented field, in the Stiffness Of the night-marred
only by the sentinels tread when the weary
soldier, wrapt in all natures sweet restorer,
halrny sleep'-ls dreaming of the morrow; or n
the smoke glare, and din of battle, amidst carnage
and DEATH there let its bright folds inspire you with
new strength, nerve your and steel your
hearts to deeds of strength and valor. Should de-
feat come, let it find clustered around this standard
host of young bearts that know their rights, and
knowing, maintained them to the death.
From this moment our iates become the same.
In war or in peace in triumph or defeat, in victory
or DEATH we will be found side by side.