Natchitoches union. [volume] ([Natchitoches, La.]) 1859-1864, 1862-03-20
rLaa PRESENTATION.

streets. Tho object Of their meeting
was the presentation of a flag to the
first named Of these companies, by the
ladies of Natch'tuchee.
At half past 10, they formed III line
and ma rched from their place of
rendezvous, followed by largo crowd,
to tho dwelling Of Mr.. Til AlREY, the
place selected for the presentation of
the flag, When arrived there, they
halted in front of the house and were
received BY large assetnblagc Of Ia.
diea on the balcony, who attended in
spite Of tic inclhmency Of the weather.
Miss ALLIE TICKER being selected to
present the flag, rfeAounced the fol
lowing pathetic and eloquent address
to the company:
Gentlemen Of The nc L,urin Mriaetbies.
Il present to you, this beautiful ban
ner so neatly made by the ladies'; as
their hands indnstrously worked, their
hearts filled with patriotism, uutil the
cup over flowed, and they felt they
could shoulder a musket, and defend
thier holmes.
Then, gentlemen. if this he the feel
ing Of the ladies, what must be yousY
Gan you remain Mt home, and let those
who are now in the tcnted field fight
your battlcsY No never, you will go
and join those gallant ones, and show
the world how the sons Of Louisiana
can do battle For liberty.
The crisis has come, the deed must
be done: or else the Cuniuder1cy which
now fills The heart Of every true south
erner with pride, will be disgraced and
ruined
Then, AHsve men, it is your country's
call! tho blood ai ynr brothers. that
fell in our late battles, calls you to
arlnst
| say to you in the words of the
Suliote Chief:
aStribe, till your lnsi armed foe expires.
strkarst your affairs, and ycur fires
Stis%e for the green graves Of your sires
God and yonr southern land /"
The invaders are now knocking ~
our threshold, and VIC, southern women
30 not choose t1ct-wcrn diHhonor and
death, but encourage our fathers, hhs-
bands and brothers to 60 forward and
face the foe.
Soldiers Of tlc !" McT.anrin 1nyincib-
les" | do not fcai this flag will ever be
dishoncred, CT trail IN the dtst and
blood, Be it, that thc standard bearer,
be made kiss the dust, there will be
another Jasper Of rs, to rear and I'M
furl its coors to the breeze, and shqW
the enemy we are there.
1t is with sad, and aching heart
we bid YOU farewell; but the breeze
that unlurls these colors will watt our
prayers to heaven in your behalf.
ny all ye hope, by all sc 1--we,
BE resolute ahd lfrotd
And let this Rag symbol be,
or triumph, a shroud
At those words almost drown cd in
subducd emotion, and with trembling
hands, she placed that sacred pledge
Of glory and happiness, or perhaps,
alas, of separation forever, into the
hands of her step father, who received
it in the name Of his Company and
answered in the following energetic
and sollier.like sentiments:
MY daughter ladies, gentlemen and
fellow soliiers, Il receive this flag
from The fair hands Of woman, always
freedoms best friend The cligalrous
sons of the South arc again called upon
to drive despiscd enemy from it's
sacred soil. receive this flag in the
name of the McLAuRlS INviNcmLEs, who
have honored me with the command,
and in their name, | pledge that it
shall be kept as received untarnishcd,
unpolluted by the touch of the hands
of the enemy, until it is baptiscd with
the blood Of this company.
Fellow soldiers, s,-upon our heroic
spirits our country relies. What mem
Der of this Company but feels within
himself that he, alone, is unconqher-
able Fellow soldiers, you have doubt
less counted the cost, great difficulties
are to be met and overcome, nene can
doubt but is there a man so craven
hearted as to doubt for one moment
our succcss---is there one2 and while
| ask the question, every heart and
voice responds "Noin
Fellow citizens Of Natchitochcs,
we have volunteered to fight your bat
ties and win glorious victory. We
leave behind, in your charge, the most
sacred tics known to man on Garth
our wives, children, fathers, mothers,
sisters As soldiers, we must toll, suf
fer and even bleed for the honor of our
common country we ask, in return,
look we'll to your trust at home"
, Here, a lovely cortege Of eight little
girls, 7 or 8 years old, headed by two
young ladies, all bearing banners,
, joined the companies and accompanied
them to the Protestant Church, where
the honcdiction of the fag tool place.