Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-08-09
THE HAMPTON LEGION.


"a magnificent silk banner wass presented
to the members of Col. Wade Hampton's Le-
gion. now at Camp Manning, on Tuesday eve
ming. The weather was rather inclement than
otherwise, but the soldiers having been diaap-
pointed twice before on account of the capcrs
of the weather god, determined that the ball
should 60 on A large number of ladies and
gentlemen were present. His excollency the
President acted as spokesman on the occasion.
correspondent describing the affair says ::
The Legion was formed into three sides of
square to receive the President who appeared
on grey horse, accompanied by Col. Hnmp.
ton and staff. Many of US has never seen the
hero of Buena Vista before, and his appearance
differed somewhat from what we had fancied.
His keen, calm eye alone indicated the warrior
while the serene expression of countenance
and plain, simple manner of his bearing, de.
noted more the student aud statesman. Ad-
vsncing few PAGES in the hollow Of the square
he took the beautiful banner with evident
emotion, and addressed his friends and fellow
soldiers of South Carolina in tones and words
that stirred their bosom with feelings Of pride
and devotion to their native State, and that
moistened the eyes Of many with tho memories
of her past achievements in the old Revolution.
and on the CORY fields OF Mexico. He told
the Legion that the flag was the work of the
fair fingers of the descendants of Darby, and
Williams, and Campbell, the heroes of Kiag's
Mountain, and Cowpens and Eutaw. Moultrie
had first unfurleo the flag of the Union on the
walls of Fort Mcultrie, and jasper rescued it
on the glorious day Of victory. lie knew
Carolinans on the bloody plains of Mexico,
when they bore their banner, dipped in blood,
from victory to victory. Here was another
banner instructed to their keeping, and before
him stood the men to preserve it from defeat {;
and, like the heroes Of Churubusco. they would
hand it from one to another until the last man
falls, or plnnt it triumphant OH q conquered
field, He was sorry. he said. that lie could
not bid them hope the smiles of peace would
Danish from our loved country the dark clouds
Of war, for he felt that we had hardships to
endure, privations to bear-great deeds to do.
For himself, he had not come to the Office lie
occupied for its honor, but TO share its perils :;
and when Carolina levels her bayonets for the
last change, he hoped to be with them. He
intended to be where men bleed and die. With
surperadded confidence and pleasure, lie COM
mittcd the beautiful flag in the hands of Col.
Hampton, as the son of a noble gentleman,
and the grandson of gallant commander Of
TO-
Three times three were enthusiastically Civ.
en- for jeff. Davis, and after the band had
played fine air, Col. Hampton replied
That coming as it did, from the hands of one
reverenced aud honored throughout the length
and breadth of the whole Southern country,
this flag. in itself demanding the highest feel
ings of pride and reverence with brightest mem
| ories of Carolina clustering around it, was
doubly valued. He would ask his followers to
| defend it. He asked them to look upon itt
Palmetto tree and silver crescent-then, turn
ing to Sergeant Darby. he said: To you
| commit this sacred trist. I know you we'll
you must remember that you are the grand
son of a patriot and hero
On taking it. Sergeant Darby briefly replied
| that it was his pride and pleasure to be the
bearer of that beautiful banner; that while
life lasted it would never 60 down before The
enemy, and If it did fall, his epitaph would b
written on its folds
Every eye rested fondly on the silver ores
cent and memory moving Palmetto. as the gor
geous flag foated first over the hea ds Of th'
Legion. and every heart there resolved that |
it must ever fall there would be no Carolin,
eye 70 gaze upon its fall. -, -
The Legion then performed various evolu-
fiona and, paased in review. before, the Presi
deut. after which parade was dismissed, ant
the flag conducted by the Washington Ligh
Infantry to the Coioneiss- tsnt, accompanied b,
the Armory Band, which added infinitely t
The pleasantness OF the occasion.
May our banner be next unfurled in the fac
Of the insoent Zoe. who would crush bsneatl
the heel of despotism the 'inalionable rights
for which our fathers fought and fell. .-. "
PAY OF VOLUNTEERS.