The Portland daily press., 1862-12-06

resolve to stand by him to the last. and never
to leave the field till he led them of. And
not only there, but on other fields, when the
death shots flew thick and fast, falling like
hailstones around them, they have seen the
same cool, unfinching courage exhibited, and
they have thus been assured that they had a
leader on whom they could depend in the
hours that tried mems souls. These are the
qualities, sir, together with many others, which
have endeared you to us, which have COM
manded our respect and esteem, and prompted
us at this time TO present to you some sub
stantial and worthy testimonial OF our regard
Tor you. You are now about to leave us, it
may be never to return to us again; and as
you journey toward our dear old native
State, you will carry with you our cam
est wishes for your continued health and pros
perity. Should you return to us again, we
Will greet you with most cordial welcome:
bnt should higher and more honorable posi-
ton await you, be assured, sir, we shall hear
oil your advancement with pleasure, knowing
yon to be worthy of the honor conferred upon
you.
Receive then, this beautiful sabre, with its
accompanying gifts. Wear it proudly. for
coming. as it does, as a freewill offering from
these brave men whom you have so long and
so honorably commanded, you may well be
proud of it. As for us, we know that we are
feel assured that it will never be drawn in an
unworthy cause, and that it will never be
sheathed until the glorious Union for which
we have been so long fighting shall once more
be restored in all its former pride and glory,
more firmly cemented by the blood of the
brave men who have fallen in its defense.-
And when the last gun of this sad war shall
have been fired, and peace shall once more re-
turn to bless our country, when the glorious
n for xlol IL, Ill
wave in triumph over every inch of our soil
then may you return to your peaceful home,
and share nations gratitude.
May you bear this gift with you; may you
ever faithfully preserve it, and may you live to
show it to your children's children, as proof
OF the esteem and affection of the brave sol
diers who fought under you for their country's
rights in the Great Rebellion.
Captain McGilvery replied:
Sergt. Figgin and Feiiog .soldiers:-This
Is one of the happiest and proudest occasions
Of my life. On this day. set apart by proclama-
ton from the chief magistrate OF our own and
other States, in accordance with an ancient
custom in New England, as day of solemn
thanksgiving and prayer, find myself the
recipient OF gift, for which poor utterance can
but feebly express the thankiulness and graft
tude feel. This splendid weapon, these 9TH
er beautiful articles, are of no ineonsiderable
value intrinsically; bat that which will give
them value in my estimation far above
silver or gold, is the association connecting
them with the giyers.
accept the generous gifts, my friends, in
the spirit in which / believe they are present.
ed. accept them, as coming from brave men,
with whom have shared the hardships. and
privations of war; from patriots, who have
left friends and home to serve their country;
men who have stood firm with me, midst the
smoke and carnage of battle fields, when the
roar OF cannon, the clash of arms. and the tu-
multi OF contending armies, seemed to bespeak
general wreck and ruin.
In those scenes of blood and death you did
not falter, but performed your duties as be-
comes brave men. Labors and perils thus
shared equally and honorably together, estab-
lish between us associations fit to be commem-
GRATED; and my friends, l assure you this ex-
preston of Your regard and confidence will
impress them upon my mind while memory is
true to its Office.
These rich gifts from your hands shall be
cherished with sacred care, as mementoes to
keep the past in bright and happy recollec-
tion. And now, let me say, as courage and pa
tience have characterized you in the past, let
courage. patience and hope, encourage and an-
innate you in the future.
The war is not yet ended. A large portion
OF our great country is still profaned by the
tread of rebel hosts in arms; and until they
are destroyed or dispersed, We can have no
peace.
have enlisted, as trust you all have, for
the war, whether it be longer or shorter; and
l mean to remain steadfast, as | know you all
will, TO the great cause we have espoused, un-
til the reward of our national sacrifices is se-
cured in a restored Union and lasting peace,
l might and should say much more. Your or
ator's eloquent and complimentary remarks, de
serve full and comprehensive response; but
my emotions will not permit me TO proceed. l
must conclude by again thaniSing you all for
these rich and lasting tokens of that regard
and confidence, in return for which you will
ever be entitled to my confidence, my graft
tude and esteem.