The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-11-11
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ProSentation to Col. VIM. R, Stokes,

1 n~hhihSche suit VI uhAtVthA buN StlnA-
son sash, by some Of the troops from
Ohio, 20 Col. w. B. Stokes, Of the LIST
Reg. Mid. Tenn. Cavalry, through Maj.
| G. IL. GEovESoR Of the 18th Ohio Vol.
Infantry, in the following elegsnt and
appropriate speech:
| COLONEL SToKEs II 10 made my pleas
ant duty, this morning, 70 present to you,
on behalf OF some Of your friends Rnene
the troops from the noble and loyal State
OF Ohio, now soiourning in this city, this
Isplendid suit Of uniform, and this mag-
ni6cent crimson sash, as token OF the
high appreciation Of your loyalty and
devotion to the canss Of the Union which
We so much love- When the opposition
to the old and good Government, 60 long
rife in the South, had broken Out into
open war, the eyes Of the loyal North
] were turned with intense interest TO the
action of the people Of this great State Of
| Tennessee. It was seen that no other
State possessed within itself natural re-
sources excelling this State. Her miner
ais, agricultural, and other resources
constituting the elements Of National
Independence. And when the reign Of
terror swept over her fair plains, we felt
that If her people were united az one
man against the Union, the task Of con-
quering her would be great and bloody.
We looked, therefore, with painful inter-
est 10 see whether among the gallant men
Of Tennessee, some would not espouse
the cause of freedom, and the old flag.
We believed that from the hills Of noble
East Tennessee, and the fertile fields of
the Middle section, some would gladly
hail our coming; that they would find
their way TO our camps by light Of the
stars upon eur glorious banner; that they
would listen TO the music Of our advance
as I" the Scottish maiden listened for the
Slogan Of her Highland clan upon the
bloody field of Lucknow" And thank
God that we were not wholly disappoint.
ed. We have met such men as you,
Colonel; such men as Andy johnson, w.
II. Polk, Etheridge, and others; and you
my gallant comrades among the officers
and soldiers of the First Regiment Of
Middle Tennessee Cavalry, TO welcome
US with brave hearts and strong arms,
ready to aid in the great wSrk before US.
And as we shall advance the honest men
of Tennessee will shake of the spell that
holds them, Gas strong man bound"
and will sweep before them the last Vss-
| tige of this monster rebellion.
But Sir, will conclude my remarks.
It is not the business of soldier to make
long speeches. He should act rather
than talk. We have already had too
many words, and too few actions. Ac-
ton, action, sir, is what we want. Let
US all act. Continue, Sir, to WELD the
good sword you have so CALAMITY drawn,
in the manner you have already given US
an earnest of, and accept this gift, as a
token that the donors approve of and
appreciate your motives and courage.
Let this knowledge nerve your arm in
thu day of battle, and continue to strike
until the leaders of this infamous rebel
lion
q Shall sit pale Ghosts upon the stygian shore,
And read their acts by the red light Of He'll"
Col. STOKES responded 10 the follow
ing chaste and happy remaks:
Major, l deeply and sincerely thank
you, and those whom you represent, for
the honor you do me, ..in presenting this
splendid suit of uniform and costly sash.
The presents are valuable in themselves,
their value to me is increased beyond es-
innate, by the motives which suggested
the gift, and the graceful and highly
complimentary terms employed in the
presentation. | know and feel that the
honor could not have been intended for
me alone, but that il was rendered me as
the representative of the good and gall
liant troops whom | have the happiness
TO command, and this, too, is most graft
flying TO me
Could you, Sir, have seen these noble,
brave boys, as have seen them, leaving
their homSs-wandering through woods
and along by-paths to avoid the enemies
in their midst and finally reaching
Nashville, ragged and barefooted, for the
purpose of giving their services and
their lives to their country--ysu would
love them as love them. Yes, Sir, two
eAtire companies of the Regiment which
have the honor 10 command, came from
the fair State of Alabama, to unite their
efforts with ours in the restoration of
the Union, and fondly indulge the hope
thae / may yet be enabled TO lead them
back tO'their homes and 10 their families.
Sir, your own patriotic State has fur
nished many many gallant spirits
whose deeds of valOr have illustrated
nearly every battle field Of the rebellion.
Allow me 10 assure you, that even those
brave men carry not with them more
earnest devotion 10 the Union, more
fervent patriotism than these generous
boys who now stand before You; aAd
could their prayers and the admonitions
Of such men as JOHNSON, Polk, ETHER-
IDGH and others have availed, our own
loved Tennessee would not, 70 this day,
have raised an arm TO strike against
the Government. Your allusion 10 this
State awakened within me emotions of
pride and sorrow. / love this State in
tensely, deyOtedly; but love her as one
Of the sister States comprising this great