, 1862-04-04
Presentation of Co10rs to the 20th
Ikesiment Illinois Volunteers.

HxEAEAAaAkUN OF GU1DE8 tA& 2DEh
Regiment Illinois Volunteers.
We give below the correspondence between
the Committee, on behalf Of the citizens of
Chicago, and Col. G. c. MarEh. The co1ors
were forwarded by the Committee to the rcgi-
ment, in camp near Pittsburgh, Tenn. Such
testimonials Of the appreciation OF the gallant
conduct OF our soldiers must be cheering to
their brave hearts:
SAVANNAH, Tenn, March Is, 1852.
Colonel Marsh, Officers and Soldiers Of the sijth
Regiment Illinois Infantry:
Our felloT-citizens Of Chicago have deputea
to US the agreeable duty Of visiting this regi-
mcnt in thu field, and presenting to yonr gAl-
liant Culencl, and to the officers and soldiers
under his command, Q ulenento Of their ap-
probation OF your noble conduct on the ficid
Of battle In the service Of our beloved country.
On the fall Of Sumter, your Colonel, a citi-
zen Of Chicago, rendered his services to his
country. Since that event, memorable for its
stroug emotions in the heart Of every loyal
citizen, his untiring exer:ions were devoted
to the organization Of the Grand Army Of H.
1lnois, until assigned to the command of this
regiment: How diligently he has striYen to
pert ct his command in the discipline Of the
soldier, and how fully be has won your conf
dtnce and love, Your own hearts Will answer
Most OF the officers and soldiers Of this reg
i1:cnt are citizens Of Illinois, and majority
:1e from our sister city OF Joliet and surround
ing country. Your fellow citizens have wit
messed with pleasure your so1dicrly conduct
Your gallant deeds on tie memorable field uf
Frydericktown, ard the recent bloody but ..lo-
rious victory at Fort Doaelson, justly ent1tle
you to the affection and admiraFion Of every
lovtr Of thz Union as it was. You are fighting
III 4 nobie c1nse; cause which challenges tic
respect Of the good men Of the civilized world.
Our misguided and deceived countrymen Of
4ht. ia 7,],r ,l,%i
fa1seloods Of wiley, corrupt, and ambitious
traitors, plunged lnto rebellion, without 4
parallel 1or its vastneEs and atrocity in the
records Of history. They are striving to over
th,ow and destroy the best and most benef-
cent Government which God in His providence
has Itrmiltcd any people to establish; Gov
e-nn1cnt which LAS never oppressed them, and
agalnst which they have no cause Of complaint.
IN such @ cause who would not be Il hero ?
Who would not lay down his if. for such i
Government?
We rejoice to know that your Colonel, and
tic officers and soldIera Of this regiment, ,uayc
proved, in tic deadly strife, with yuur coEl-
rades falling around you, your title TO the
gratitude OF those whom we represent
The blood Of your noble Lieut.. Col. Erwin,
mingled with that Of your loved comrades,
n:oistcncd the field Of Donc1son- Their green
graves arc watcrtd with the tears OF those
Who lore them. Their virtues will remain
EYER fresh iu your hearts, and the bi-tovian
will 10 jsst3ce tc their memories. The be-
reared domestic circles OF the s,lun hive i
consolation Which few are permitted to cher.
ish- Those new made graves Of noble mat
hood, and tue speaking wounds Of those who
| survive, should Dcryc Your aruls aud stir your
hearts in tic contest soon again to challenge
,os,r courage and patriotism. It has given Us
| great pleasure 10 spend the last few days Will,
| You in yOur progress hither. We have wit
messed your discipline, aud feel truly grati:e!l
| with yeur soldicry bearing. We rejoice that
5our Colnnc1 fully appreciates the necessit;
Of discipline, not only for the efficiency Of tht
soldier in hattie, hut to protect lin against
| unnecessary eNposurp.
May that God who has SO nlcrcifully watch
Cd over you shield you in all future perlls. anl
may your hearts ever cherish gratitude to Hin
who should be The soldiers trust.
Soldiers, we commit to the hands Of tou
Colonel 1:is stand Of cVlors, to be by hill
entrusted to your keeping, and borne by yot
| wherever du'y calls.
You behold the inscription:
| Presented by the citizens Of Chicago to th
:01l regiment Of Illinois volunteers fur ea!tan
| cisGn.''
Who would have believed few months
since tha: any Of our countrynlen could eve
cease to love this old flag? The rapid pro
ss.ss Of events give us an undoubting trus
that it will soon wave in triumph over eyer,
St.te, and be restored to the love Of dcceiyet
people, who will hurl from their midst thos
base traitors WHO have brought so much mis-
| cry upon them.
Soldiers, LIT your conduct ever he worth
Of this gift. Let no act Of cowardice or cruel
ty on tie field, 10 deeds Of violence or pilGc1
ing on the march, NO u1soldirrly couduc
an, where, dishonor these color. or ever caus
slame to their donors; but ever bear taeI
where duty and honor calls you, in the thick
est of the fight. We intsust tbem to thos
! 1rttn herr f1,n;r ai1f1ftr n ,tcr
them.
When this wicked rebellion shall be pu
| down, Us We believe it soou will be, we hop
Your gallant Colonel, should God il His ini
ute mercy spare him, may be permitted t
bring them back with you to your own Stat
as nemente Of the bravery and noble DARN
Of her sons Of the goth regiment of 11lino1
Volunteers in the defense Of their countr,
With the expressions Of admiration Of OIL
1cllow citizens Of Chicago, We beg to unit
ours individually. ]. C. WRIGHT,
| C. II. WALKEH,
| II TUo%spsnx