The national Republican., 1862-03-14
Sword Pr entatiOn.

MAJOR L. II. King, having resigned hls posi-
ton as an officer in the First District regiment,
= few days since was presented By his late
command, at the camp of that regiment, with a
handsome sword, sash and belt.
The presentation was made through Orderly
Sergeant Clancey, Of the company formerly
commanded by Major King, in the following
words.
MAJOR p. II. Krxa. In asking your presence
here to-day, | did SO at the request Of my
comrades, tho non.commissioned officers and
priyates Of this company, which you 80 lately
commanded, that they might show TO you and
to tho regiment at large tho high estesm and
maiider; and now that you are separating from
them, they beg leave TO present you with an
undyng token Of their friendship. In doing
10, allow me to say that there is not ono among
be placed, who would wish TO break tho ties
that has bound us together for the last eight
months. We Joined your company with the
full expectation thai those ties would not be
broken until tho last enemies of this our country
we're forced 10 lay down their arms; but alas
tho thought was vain that the only means of
separation from you would be the last of life In
this (uur common Country's) cause. But, Sir, as
things has tratspred which cause these ties to
be rent, and knowing our duty as soldiers
whose lives are given to our country, we must
not find fault. for wc have not the power to
control, for Il soldiers lite IL like labyrinth,
he knows what he has gone through, but not
what IL 10 oo,ue. But, however hard that duty
may DC, the parting with You Is still harder;
for ch ldrcn never parted with a fond father In
more sorrow than we part from you, who have
not only been our commander, but our father
aud our brutheI-fUr ss u father, you have
gwen US advice and counsel, and as u brother,
YOU have fought for our rights; who then, can
blame US IN We cry out, shall we nevor see him
more! But although we may be separated by
distance, the link that has drawn us 10 you lin
thia m nGIIntry's II bE the link In
bind us and make II. fscl, although absent In
person, YET are NO together fghtng that go.
rinus l2ht for our country aud its laws.
Sir, accept these in our name, and may they
ever be worn with honor BY you. as they may
be the means pi keeping II memory the recol
icCiiun Of u.s.
To- which the major replied, as follows:
Sergeant Clancy and men of,ny late command:
ctuue. mud words TO express 10 YOU my feel
iugs on ieceicins AT your hands these unex.
peGted aud valuable tokens Of your friendship
and este en-, rendered dou6ly valuable because
Of the secret aud quiet manuer in which you
have gotten them up, "a poe uliar characte istiC
II CtltS,) never having intimated your intention
until you had mado tho purchase, and had the
inscription upon tho sword; and when you in-
form me they were gotten up by tho non.com
nissuned officers and privates Of my late com
pany, feel that ii IL a compliment can never
heard that you had said l had abandoned you
To the mercy Of strangers in resigning my com
mand. | could ask no better evidence Of tho
sroundle ssness oi such thought than these
valued tokens ! hold in psy hand. | am no
speech maker, men, and il were | am sure
words would be inadequate TO the task have
before me--that OF expressing 10 you my feel
iugs on this ccGas sion. think II proper 10 say
here, however, that If ! had pursued any other
course than that which did you would have
presented me with a leather medal, instead oil
This beautiful sword, sash, and belt, which,
Am Informed, cost you about one hundred dol
lars. | beg 70 assure you 1t shall never be
worn with dshonor by Inc. | have been sol
iierng now, oil and on, Tor twenty years
during which time have ever been equal T.
every emergency that has arisen. l claim fol
myself no military Knowledge or ability, but
must claim that your colonel had confidence il
me as an officer who, on being Officially H.
formed by tho War Department that Paynel
Branch Bridge was tho most important point OF
tho Baltimore and Ohio railroad 10 be guarded
sent ne with my command to that point, wher,
remained until l resigned, discharging tn,
duties TO tho entire satisfaction of tho actin,
brigadier general Of the railroad brigade, ]. @
Robinson, an educated soldier Of the Wos
Point school.
As you SEQ fl, to ailudo to the glorious caus,
IN which we are engaged, do not think it viii
DC amss for mo to ayo YOU brief account u
The circumstances attending my entrance int
The service Of the United States to aid in put
ting down this unholy and uncaled.fsr rebel
lion. was IN Il lucrative position, with pos
tive assurance Of a continuance IN the same
had been confined TO my room for three day
from indispOstl0n, On Sunday night, April II
ls6l. Col. G. Z. Stone, then commanding d. c
forces, at ii O'Clock y. m. sent word to me this
To wanted me tn report at the arm0ry neA
morning by II o'clock. / had my men summone
lhat night and next morniug, and WAS sNor
into the service of the United States with 0
good and true men and soldiers, who knew thei
business. It. is unnecessary to say how man,
nights ], with my command, walked all might
or lay down on bricks or bridges. Sufice I
say, that On the LIST day of May following, l wa
deemed worthy, and was promoted to the ranl
Of major, with command of four companies
IN the aggregate three hundred and sixty.tw
men, the 7th battalion One day, before Inc eS
piration Of tho term of service OF the battalion
July 23d. my name, In connection with min
others, was announced in the newspapers a
captain in the First d. U. regiment, which pc
sition did not accept until | was assured thai
IS senior captain, would be major Of tn
regiment. You now see, without an examina
tinn MS prescribed In the army regulations {
1857 and 1861, junior captain made major.
YOU, then, blame me for resgning? No; lknu,
YOU do not, and am content. You say that
was not only your Commanding Oiicer, but, b
my advice and counsel your father and you
brother. have ever told you, men, that II yo
would do your duties az soldiers, you woul
not be punished. ! recognize several whom
have punished. have done SO, mon, becaus
wss obliged to, as An officer having sworn
10 my duty as an nilcer. On leaving, Cannl
sly that am better Union man than eve
hut tan say u bett0r Union man don't live, an
you all know Ii.
The company then sat down to an excelleI
dinner, gotten up for the occasion by a vel
known caterer of Washington tho fes,iyitit
being enlivonod by patriotic songs, speeohe
and toasts, and prolonged until late hour
tha day
Bold AssAu!t.
"A Mr. DdriuA smith WAS pusainr alnr