Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1862-12-19
For the Journal.
sword Presentation.

Being present at Camp Strong, near you
city, on the 18th inst, had the pleasure o
witnessing the presentation of beautiful
sword and sash to Geo. w. Kincaid, Colone
Of the 37th Regiment Iowa Volunteers
known as the Gray Beard regiment. TIL
sword was presented by Capt. E. A. NJ
Swasey, of Company G, on behalf Of the off
GERS of the regiment, in an appropriate
speech. The Captain, turning to the Colonel
said .tt.E 49, 5U4stee4
"SlR: l am entrusted with this SWORD
with us an emblem of power - to be pre-
scented to you, in behalf of the line officers Of
the 37th regiment, which you have the honor
to command. 1t is freewill offering, fol
the many acts of kindness you have rendered
to them and the venerable and patriotic men
under their command. We entrust it to you
sir, to be used IN the defense of our National
rights, and against all enemies to our glorious
Union, let them rise from whatever source
they may. We have implicit confidence in
your courage and ability, and that in your
hands it will never be disgraced or surren-
dered. And when, amid the din of battle and
conflict of war, we behold this beautiful sword
raised above the enveloping smoke, we shall
know that our commander is there, guiding
us in the path of duty-to victory or death!
"In conclusion, sir, please accept this beau
tiful sword, as token of respect; and, when
its mission shall have been accomplished, re-
turn it to its scabbard, and keep it as sacred
relic in your family, to commemorate this
eventful day, and the esteem Of the Gray
Beard regiment"
The Colonel responded, in substance as
follows: .,.... ,...a
"FELLow- SOLDIERS If had been born
an orator, and had practiced speaking all my
life, l should feel myself utterly unable to
make speech on this occasion. The kindness
and consideration manifested under the cir
cumstances completely overwhelm me.
II have often, through the course of my
life, been the recipient of honors, conferred
on me by my fellow-citizens, all of which I
consider as nothing when compared to the
honor conferred on me by the Governor,
about three months since, when he author
lied me to raise this regiment. Yes, fellow
soldiers, the Governor not only gave me
commission to raise the regiment, but he
gave me the extraordinary authority to
appoint its officers And now, my fellow
soldiers, am proud to say, that, with the
assistance of those officers whom you elected,
l have made a selection, whom, l believe,
after some eight weeks intercourse with them,
are not excelled by any.
"And will further say, that, the whole
regiment is composed of material which, in
my opinion, is superior to any that has here
tofore been raised in the State = and when l
say that, say great deal for Iowa soldiers
stand second to none in the world.
Fellow soldiers, while our respected Captain
was speaking, felt so overwhelmed with the
extraordinary kindness conferred that l
could say nothing but thank you; but feel
now as though ought to say little more
it has been said that "a barking dog never
bites" Therefore, shall not say what Twill
do with this beautiful sword, but shall tell
you what will not do: I will never yield
nor give it up while there is strength in this
arm to retain it. And, further, will say,
that no officer shall be asked to go further
than where he can see this sword in advance
Il shall require no officer to advance so far
that he will have to look back over his
shoulders to see it.
"And now l will say the word, though it
may seem weak. 1t does not seem to convey
the full power of my feelings: Brother
officers, thank you!"
The sash, which was the gift Of the Ser
geants Of the regiment, was presented by
Sergeant John Bostater, of Company F, in
few appropriate remarks, which were warmly
to by the Colonel.
Permit me to say, in conclusion, that have
had the opportunity. during the last twelve
of witnessing the evolutions Of many
both of this and other States, and
] am compelled to give the need of praise to
this. The men have certainly attained COM
mendable proficiency in the elementary
tactics of military science, and under the
of their excellent drill-master
Capt Palmer, they will not be surpassed by
any regiment that has gone from the States.
A SPECTATOR.