The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-07-18
. LOCAL MATHIS.

Presentation Of q FIag.-A magnificent Sui
banner was presented to the members Of Col
Wade Hampton's Legion, nov at Camp Man.
ming, on Tuesday evening. The Weather was
rather inclement than otherwise, but the sol
diers having been disappointed twice before on
account Of the cspers Of the weather god, de-
termined that the "ball should 60 on" A
large number Of ladies and gentlemen were
present. His Excellcncy the President acted
as spokesman on the occasion. ...-,
A correspondent describing the affair says
"The Legion was formed into three sides of q
square to receive the President, who appeared
on q grey horse, accompanied by Col. Hamp-
ton and staff. Many Of rs had never seen the
hero of Buena Vista before, and his appear
ance differed somewhat from what We had fan
cicd. His keen, calm eye alone indicated the
warrior, while the. serene expression Of coun-
tenauce and plain, simple manner Of his bear
ing, denoted more the student and statesman.
Advancing q few PAGES in the hollow OF the
square, he took the beautiful banner with evil
dent emotion, and addressed his friends and
fellow soldiers of South Carolina" ia tones and
words that stirred their bosoms with feelings OF
pride and devotion to their native State, and
that moistened the eyes of many with the me-
mories of her past achievements in the old
Revolution, and on the fgory 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
Kings Mountain, and Cowpens and Eutaw.-
Moultris had first unfurled the flag of the
Union on the walls Of Fort Moul.rie, and Jas
errescued it on the glorious day CT victory
He knew Carolinians on the bloody plains OF
Mexico, when they bore their banner, dipped
in blood, from victory to victory. Here was
another banner entrusted to their keeping, and
before him stood the men to preserve it from
defeat; and, like the heroes of CLuru-
busco, they would baud it from Gle to
another until the last man falls, or
plant it triumphant On conquered field.
He was sorry, he said, that he could not bid
them hope the smiles CT peace would Danish
from our loved country the dark clouds OF
war, for he felt that we had hardshipS to en-
dure, privati0ns to bear-great deeds 10 do.
For him self, he had not come to tho office be
occupied for its honor, but to share its perils
and when Carolina levels her bayonets for the
last charge, he hoped to be with them. He
intended to be where men bleed and die
With superadded confidence and pleasure, be
committed the beautiful flag in the.hands Of
Col. Hampton, as the son Of noble gentle
man, and the grandson OF a gallant COM
mander of 10"
Three times three were enthusiastically
given for JEFF. Davis, and after the band
bad played fine air, Col. Hampton replied
THAT, coming, as it did, from the hands o.
one reverenced and honored throughout the
length and breadth of the whole Southern
country, this flag, in itself demanding the
highest feelings of pride and reverence, with
brightest memories Of Carolina clustering
around it, was doubly valued. He would ask
his followers to defend it." He asked them to
'look upon its Palmetto tree and silver cres-
cent"-then, turning to Sergeant Darby, he
said: "To you / commit this sacred trust.
know you well-you must remember that you
are the grandson of patriot and hero"
On taking it, Sergeant Darby briefly re-
piled, chat it was his pride and pleasure to
be the bearer of that beautiful banner; that
while life lasted it would never go down be-
fore the enemy, and if it did fall, his epitaph
would be written on its folds
Every eye rested fondly on the silver cres-
cent aud memory moving Palmetto, as the
gorgeous flag foated first over the heads OF
the Legion, and every heart there resolved that
if it must ever fall, there would be no Caro-.
lima eye to gaze upon its fall.
The Legion then performed various evolu-
tons, and passed in review before the Presi-
dent, after which, parade was dismissed, and
the flag conducted by tho Washington Light
Infantry to the ColonePs tent, accompanied by
the Armory Band, which added infinitely to
the pleasantness of the occasion.
May our banner be next unfurled in the face
Of the insolent foe who would crush beneath
the heel of despotism the " inalienable rights
for whi,h our fathers fought and fell.