The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-09-25
From the 17th Wis. Infantry.

Correspondence of the Telegraph.
CAMP OF THE 17TH RRGT. VOL
Corinth Miss. Sept 18th 1852 {
EDITORS OF THE TELEGRAPH 1T may interest
some of your readers by giving them through your
columns brief account of very interesting Ger
emony of the blessing and presentation of mag.
nificent Irish Flag to Co. b. Several old army
officers who were present praised it very highly
and pronounced it the most beautiful specimen of
art they ever saw, it is certainly beautiful flag to
say the least. Capt. McDermott and Co b. ma y
well be proud of it. 1t designed, and execu'
ted by one of the best artists in the west 1t is of
the finest silk beautifully fringed with gold. Up
on one side is the Harp of Erin and the Sunburst;
upon the other, the round tower and wolf dog also
the Shan rock. On one side is inscribed the
words, Fang Bdlac, on the other, Erin go brah.
The ceremony took place yesterday afternoon at
four O'Clock Among the notables present were
Maj Gen. Ord, Major Gen. McAuthur Brig Gen.
Allen and others, Col Doran made speech flu i
of eloquence and patriotism. He was repeatedly
interrupted with wild outbursts of applause The
Col. was followed by Capt Armstrong, Adjutant
Plunket and others, all of whom spoke eloquently
and to the point, and were enthusiastically applaud
ed The presentation speech was made by the
Rev. Napoleon Mignauld. Capt McDermott's re-
ply was characteristic of the man and was receiv-
ed with enthusiastic applause.Tthe following is the
reply of Capt. McDermott. l regret that have
not copy of the presentation speech by Rev.
Napoleon Mignauld, Regimental Chaplain.
CAPT. McDERMoTT's REPLY.
''Reversnd and dear Sir, accept this emblem
| dar MI Triahmau lnvos IN tiUhf IT ia
more dear to us, on account of having received
with it the benediction of heaven, through your
hands We will guard it with religious zeal and
patriotic devotion 1t shall never be traed in the
dust, until our arms are pasied ane our hearts lie
cold in death.
You, my brave comrades, who have anxiously
watched for the foe on picket, in trench; and blv-
ouac. for the last six months, subject to all the
hardships nseparable from such campaign, does
it not inspire you with patriotic enthusiasm to see
the green flag flying over you?
know it does Oh my brave comrades, look up
on it, remember its historic associations, how Of
ten it has been borne TO victory by our patriotic
sires and how often the pirate red has palled be-
fore the Sun burst of freedom. will not alludt
to the many instances which history furnishes o
old flag They are patent to every student of His
tory.
My brave comrades do you not love this sacred
emblem of liberty, still more when it is borne i'll
defense of our adopted country its constitution
and it's laws, tremendous applause.l l know
you do Oh, my comrades we should peril ALL to
save those grand tree institutions, the hope oil
down trodden nations of Europe, and if we are
whipped out by the enemies of freedom, the ark
of liberty will not then have resting under the
sun.
Then rally around the green flag in co-partner
ship with its younger but more robust sister o
the stars and stripes let their spirit stirring co min
gled colors tighten up our hearts, nerve our arm
and send lightnings through our blood, then
} know the men of the 18th will not stand playing
long tom with the enemy No, no it will be on
wild hurrah charge and haumen an Doul faug
BalIac-
And whether we live or die in this struggl
they will undoubtedly be borne to victory, am
our children's children will yet proudly point Il
those flags and say our fathers fought under thOs
banners"
Our men never were in better health than a
present, there is not one sick in our hospital. w
have Just received orders to be ready at short no
tice to march, Yours very respectfully
Sorgt. EUGENE HARKINs.