Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1862-02-25
Presentation of Sword to Gen Howard.

Oar correspondent, +. Y. r., writing from
Camp Griffin, gives the following account Of The
presentation of sword, by the non'comols-
stoned officers Of d Vermont Regiment, to
Gen. Howard
perhaps oughiD speak Of the presentation
Of a beautiful swo.j, sasE and belt, which has
int taken place, g the non commissioned Off
GERS Of our regimen, to Brlgadler General o. q.
Howard who, il will be remembered, was our
first Brlgader, an the enc under whom we
fought at Bul. ram lie Is one Of the men who,
although educated and trained to the military
all his life, has b. orgoten to be q gentleman.
Athoug. we hay oaen very fortunate in beng
brieaded. we have ten REQUIRED to Gen. How
ard ) treatment OTIS with feelings akin to what
ch.d feels ior q ather. We we're so green
and he So a.tentirl ud patient His calm, De
clad yoice at Bu4rJn, stcadyng our Inc when
shot and she'll wcr whIMng all around Ms and
spreading death ali carnage Ia every direction,
viii never be lorg t,cn.
We'll DO remember, when some Of our Cap.
tains with more npeuoslty, perhaps, than
discretion, at IA I'm. when the rebels threw ont
the Stars and Str@, which caused % little fall
tering along our lines and they showed some
signs Of giving wA, sprung before thelr compa-
mes that their presence and words might en-
COURAGE their men. how he sung out to them, in
his clear. distinct tones, " Captains, get in rear
Of your conpane. we cannot afford to have
you shot at this lime We also remember,
when We were rguAting, how he dIsmounted
his horse and put w0unded soldier on HIM, and
walked in our MIDST himself, although we were
hard pushed by the enemy and apparently little
chance for those On foot to escape.
Gen Howard !. now in command near AleX-
Ondria, and the committee appointed to make
the presentation vent down to day and per
formed the duty The sword sash and belt
cost two hundred dollars and, are very nice
+. NJ. Edgertsn. 0unerly Sergeant IN Co. b,
now Lieutenant "a Co. f., made the rresenta'
ton speech, TO Which Gen. Howard responded.
The following ar, the speeches Oh hc occasion
Lieut.. Edgertoa said
GENERAL HowRD We n0n-commlssloned
officers OF the Sgond Vermont regiment, have
long meditated giving you some token OF oar
nigh regard and sieem. Weuow come Is their
representatives, t. tender you this sword, as q
fitting tribute to your care for and kindness to
US 1t might be asked why We, now separated
from you, should 10 this. We have only to
say, you were our first General and W. cannot
forget the lorbelnnce you exercised toward US.
unused to the solder, lie On that ever mem.
orable march to Bull run, and the retreat from
It, and subsequently, until We were removed
from you, your care Tor our comfort we shall
ever remember with feelings OF gratitude.
Allow me, then, to present you with this
sword-also tbs sash and belt We ask you
not to remember Us by them for thor intrinsic
value, but by the feelings whica prompted tins
gilt, would quote the motto engraved ON the
scabblrd, ps-saan q,H mcrm lerai, Let him
who has wor II bear the palm and only add
the remaiudr, Tum eSt, 1t is thine.
GE5ERAL HOWARD REPLY.