Newbern weekly progress., 1862-09-20
Presentation,

Reg. Mass. Vols, presented their conf
Capt. Foster, with a sword
and shoulder straps, accompanied with
the following speech from one of their
Respected Commamder-Wc have
asked your attention moment, that
we may present a slight testimonial Of
our esteem, that not only while we
are associated as officers and men, but
after the turmoil of war is passed, will
be a Citing reminder of days gone by
days that were fraught with expo
sure,-toils and danger.
1t may rot be out of place here to
recur to the past. AT the call Of our
President for volunteers, VIC rallied to
the standard of the 25th, and under
your direction as our commander
Few indeed, knew anything of sol
dier's qualifications, but you patiently
bore with our ignorance, and with I'M
firing energy, exerted every effort to
make company that would contribute
its share towards placing the 25th in
the high position she occupies in the
estimation Of the Old Bay State. How
fully you have realized your hopes, I'll
not attempt to state. But after months
of discipline, our Regiment was con-
slider, | fitted for the task allotted lis,
and with Aattering prospects, embarked
with the Burnside Expedition, for an
unknown destination, with the dangers
of the sea and war before us.
need not narrate the sufferings,
privations, and discouragcments of
those weeks passed ON the deep, and
amid shoals and quicksands, when to
all but the st,u'est hearts, the Expedi-
ton seemed failure. They arc fa-
say, i that through it all, y You were with I'll
us to cheer by your inspiriting pres.
ence, and to alleviate our suffering.
The events of the ever memorable
7th and Sth Of February, 1862, are
emblazoned on memory's tablet, never
to be effaced, but treasured up for
lasting remembrance by US all.
The heart of each of these, my com
rades, beats with exulting pride, as we
look back to that eventful day, when
Forward, D,-follow me-" was the
command. None were more exposed
than yourself, You were front and
foremost in the fray; were singled out
as target for the encmy's balls, and
u thrill of pain shot through each
breast, as word passed from mouth to
mouth, "our Captain is wounded. y
But we were made glad to hear from
the Lieutenant that your wound was
not fatal, and ia time you would be
able to join MS again.
Through the care of kind friends,
you arc with us. Now while we well
come you to the command, in behalf
of my comrades | would ask you to
accept this sword, procured by our
united efforts, as a token of our appre.
citation of your qualities asa command.
ing officer and our admiration of your
gallant conduct at Roanoke Island.
ID is beautifuf-untarnished, like
your own character as an othcer-and
while, with this belt, you grid it OIL
your loins for battle, we are fully as.
sured no act ofyours will dishonorably
stain its purity, but if occasion offers
and stern duty requires, you will moi
hesitate to bathe its blade in rebellious
blood. These epsulettes accept from
our Lieutenant Commanding. Weal
them till the rank which they indicate
is changed for higher.
| will close by again assuring you
of our sympathy and support, humbly
asking that when, this inhuman wal
shall have ended, andi we are returned
to our quiet homes, you will cherish
feelings of kind regard toward. youl
former command, who are now proud
in calling you their leader"
Capt. Foster replied that it was
against good and strict discipline fol
an officer to be taken by surprise, but
| must confess that | AN surprised or
this occasion, never dreaming Of being
honored in so pleasant a way as this