Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-09-25
PRESENTATION TO COL. RIPLEY.


An elegant sword was presented to Col.
Ripley at the Central House in this village,
yesterday afternoon. The Rutland Light
Guard, Col. Ripley's old comm and, were the
donors. The sword, we understand, was
procured by the company for the purpose
some weeks ago, but the presentation has
been delayed until the company we're about
leaving town, in order that Col. Ripley's
health might be sufficiently recruited to re-
celve the present publicly, without too great
fatigue. The hilt of the sword and the scab-
bard are finely wrought and chased gilt on
one side OF the scabbsrd was the inscription,
" Presented to Col. w. Y. w. Ripley by the
Rutland Light Guard, Sept, 1862" upon
the other were chased the memorable words,
Il" Big Bethel, Yorktown, Hanover Court
House, Mechanicsville, Gaines Mill, Malvern
Hill" A large number of the friends of the
Colonel were assembled in the parlors of the
Central House at about 8 1-2 o'clock, when
the oonel was driven up in his carriage,
and on taking his seat in the parlor was ad-
pressed by W. I. Nichols, Esq, as follows:
Col. RIPLEY The members of your old
command, the Rutland Light Guard, present
you this sword, as token of warm friendship
and personal esteem. They do not, sir, af-
feet 10 be insensible to the common and land
able pride which honorable men NAV Justly
feel, at the success and ashievments of tried
anu lal,nlul ,eaaer Thev beg you, sir, to
accept this sword as a tribute FOR services
rendered. for sufferings endured, for gallantry
displayed, in the great struggle to maintain
the rights of civil liberty. The inscription
upon the sword in blu.at, but soldiery mar
ner, speaks significant language. Length
eheo pefio'rs would add nothing to the sig
'".ncance of those words Big Bethel, York
town, Hanover Court House, Mechanlcsville,
Gaines Mill and Malvern Hill, speak their
own history. Your old command, your
towns-people, and the people of Vermont
look With common pride upon the services
and gaiizntry which have earned such an
inscription and feel common sympathy for
your sufferings. Allow me then, sir, in be-
half, not of a few, but of the people at large,
to hope speedy recovery from your wounds,
and a future, useful and equal to =. .au past.
Col. Ripley, with much emotion, responded
| in substance, that words and strength would
both fail him were he to attempt to express
his feelings of gratitude and pride upon the
reception of such a present; and he felt the
more pride that the sword came from men
with whom he had stood side by side in bat
tie, with whom he had been associated in all
the duties and trials, the pleasures and hard
ships of a soldiers life. He thanked them
from his heart. If he could say more he
would be glad to do so; but he trusted, and
hoped, and believed that the time would soon
come when he could unsheathe the elegant
sword presented him, in his country's service
and when he had done so, he trusted it would
come back to them with no taint Of dishonor
from his hands.
Three rousing cheers were given for Col
Ripley, and at the close of the ceremonies
his friends had an opportunity of taking him
by the hand and wishing HIM speedy and
complete restoration to health wish thai
we are glad to say seems in fair way Of
being realized, judging from the improve
ment already made in his appearance and
strength.