Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1863-09-05
Presentation Ofa superb sword TO
Major General George d. Meade.
SPEECHES OF GENERAL CRAWFORD, GENERAL
MEADE, AND HON. A. e. CURTIN.

Abont six o'clock General Crawford
stepped forward, and having opened the
magnificent testimonial which had been
prepared rs a memento for General Meade,
addresses the commander of the Army of
the Potomac as follows:
General stand before you to-day, sir.
the representative of the officers of that
division which once called you its chie.,
lmpclled by disire to pcrpetuate the
memory of your connection with them;
desirous, too, to manifest to YOU the affec-
tion and esteem they bear to you, they ask
your acceptance to-day of this testimonial,
which shall mark it forever
General Meade then stepped forward,
amid tremendous cheers, and responded as
follows:
General Crawford and officers of the
division of the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps:
i accept this sword with feelings of the
most profound gratitude. should be in
sensible to all the promptings of nature if
were not grateful and proud at receiving a
testimonial OF appreciation from band of
officers and men so distinguished as has
been the division of the Pennsylvania Re
serve Corps durind the whole period OF this
war. have right, therefore, to be proud
that they should think my conduct and my
justify them in collecting together here so
many distinguished gentlemen as see
around me from different parts of the coun-
try and our own State to present to me this
handsome testimonial. 1t in effect says to
me that in their judgment have done my
duty towards them and towards the country.
(Applause.) began my career in this army
ny commanding the Second Brigade of
your division. l faithfully endeavored dur
ing all the time held that command and
also the command of your division to treat
the officers and men in Il manner that would
express to them my high appreciation of
their conduct as soldiers and brave men.
l am very glad, sir, that you have men
toned your distinguished guest, the Cover
nor of Pennsylvania. Cheers have II
personal knowledge of his patriotic efforts
in behalf Of the soldiers To him the coun-
try is indebted for putting into the field in
ITS hour OF sorest needthis splendid corps,
and | have watched with pleasure and
satisfaction the solicitude he has always
shown to see that all its interests and wants
are attended to- | have been with him on
the occasions when he has visited the officers
ana men from our State, and know that
they are indebted to him for many comforts,
and that the country is indebted to him for
I
them to inspire them with increased pa
triotism and courage. Cheers. | am
gratitied that he is here to witness this
presentation, aad | heartily join with YOU,
sir, in the hope that his fellow-cilzcus will
remember ON election day his services in
promoting the interests of the country and
the suppression of the rebellion Long
continued applause. In speaking of the
Prlde winch | experience in receiving this
sword, feel myself justified, even at the
the risk OF being charged with egotism, in
saying few words about the services
rendered by this division. | say unhesitat-
lhgly here before this assembly-and | am
quite sure that when the history of the war
Is written the facts will vindicatc me-that
no division in this glorious Army of the
Potomac-glorious as conceive it to be-
Is entitled to claim more credit for its
uniform gallant conduct and for the amount
OF hard lighting il has gone through than
the division OF the Pennsylvania Reserve
Corps. (Cheers) i do not wish to take any
credit to myself in this. Il is not of my
own personal services that would speak,
but OF the services of the soldiers-of the
prlra,es OF the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps,
echeeFsJ and l have only to appeal 10
Dralnesyille, where the first success that
crowned the arms OF the Army Of the Po-
tomae was gained, unaided and alone, by a /
single brigade of the Pennsylvania Reserves. |
tCheers) have only to refer TO Mechanics. |
willie, where began the six days fighting on /
the peninsula, and where the whole of /
LongstIeets corps was held In check for /
several hours and victory really won by
only two brigades at the Re,ery,s (Cheersl
l refer you To New Market Cross Roads,
sometimes called Glendale, and | refer
emphaiieally 10 that battle becanse certain
officers ol the army not knowing the true
iaeis oi the case, aud n,islead at lhe time by
the statements OF others equally ignorant
" ith themselves, and whose statemenls have
since osen proved ineofreoL bEoush, charges