The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-06-04

advantage than In writing 10 you,
thinking that it might interest your
readers in learning of the where
abouts of Co. E, AID Illinois Infantry,
what they are about and the health of
the Company. ~
We are encamped about 10 rods from
Stone River, and about 2a miles from
the City of Murfreesboro. We have
a very fine camp, when one passes
through it among the Shelter Tents.
"The boys call them Dog Tents" it
reminds him of passing through small
Dog City. The health of the Com
pany is good. The boys are in the
finest spirits and are ready to move for
ward toward the enemy at any time
that Gen. Rosey may give the order.
The duties of the Regiment are not
very great at present. Every or
days we are on picket, but we do not
consider that very hard. What seems
the toughest to the boys is to have to
drill twice each day when not on pick
ct, Brigade drill in the morning from
to 8, Regiment or Company drill in
the afternoon from to 6, but that is
nothing more than good exercise for
them.
The weather down here during the
day is very warm, the nights cool.
Yesterday was joyful day to the
Company, on the return of our lst
Lieutenant VIM. r. Townsend, who
has been absent from US for nearly FIVE
months. He was very much missed by
the boys, and they rejoice to think
that at last he had safely arrived
from the land of Dixie" where he
has been a prisoner in the hands of the
rebels, since the battle of Stone River,
Tenn, Dec. 2lst, 1862. Now as he is
about to take Command of the Com
pany, we the members of the same
wishing to present him with a testimo-
NAL of our kind regards, purchased a
Sword and Belt to be presented to him
by the Company, the price of which
was $500. First Sergt. L. r. Nor
ton was chosen to present the same in
behalf of the Company.
] At Z o'clock this morning the Com
pany formed on the Company Parade
Ground, and Sergeant w. Fl. Colburn
was requested to go to the Lieutenant's
tent and inform him that the company
desired his presence for few moments,
Gt being inspection day he supposed
that he was requested to inspect the
Company As he arrived in front Of
the company, he asked, Well boys are
you going to bear inspection?
To which Sergt. Norton responded
as follows:
Lieut.. Townsend-the members O
Company E, conceiving the propriety
of giving you an expression of the es
f timation in which they hold your ser
vice as an Officer, and wishing to ten
der you testimonial of their regard
for your many soldierly qualities, me-
last evening and after short consulta
ton they contributed a sum of none,
to procure suitable sword and belt t.
be presented to you in their behalf, il
lieu of the one you lost when takel
prisoner by the enemy at the battle o
Stone River.
The persons selected for that pur
pose, have purchased the sword l nov
have the honor and pleasure to pressn
to you, in behalf of the company, AM
request your acceptance of it. Th
company have purchased this Sigh
testimonial of their regard as prope
and BETTING offering to you, KNOWN,
that you will never draw it except in tn
f defence of your Country, its Constita1
o tion and ats Laos.
q To which Lieut.. Townsend reptile,
/. as follows:
!, Sergeant, Iacoept your beautiful gift
: presented by you in behalf of the con-
/ pany, with the greatest pleasure. 1t
I to me gift not to be valued for tn
o sword itself, bat as the expression c
confidence, respect and love that 20
as members of my Company bear tC
, wards me, l having been associate
r, with you as your Lieutenant for th
a last two years, and your Commando
g for several months previous to the bal
If tie of Stone River. And for this a
It well as for your respect and handsom
!, present, l return you my heartfelt
r thanks, and it shall benny earnest er
d deavor to never draw it but in the az
fence of Our Country, and never
sheath it bishonorably; and if God sha
s spare my life to see the end of tn
= bIooI,J arn7 I will keep this sword q