Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-01-29
SWORD pREsENTATIoE.
CAMP 9lst RBe'r0. VII. FAvx9ri-) !
VILE. Va. JaB.s14th. 1853. I

~
The officers Of the 9ist Rsgimen
Ohio Volunteer Infantry have +centl,
presented to their worthy GolenEl JONI
A TURLEY, OF Portsmouth. Ohio.
beautifui and highly ornamentrd sword
costing $4,000 and finished With ap
propriate devices and inscriptiois.
Adjutant J. W. LoSeBos. d Jack
son. Ohio. made the presentation
speech. as follows:
COLONEL TuRLEr-At the request
and on behalf Of the officers SEthe 9lst
Regiment Ohio Volunteer slantry,
now under your command, ep called
upon to perform a grateful dofs. The
occasion is propitious and truly sugges-
tive of all the pomp and circumstance
CT glorious war" We are passing over
a momentous crisis, an eventfnl period,
darkened with the shadows of impen-
ding dissolution. and pregnant with the
future fate Of the Republic. The con-
test in which we are engaged. effects
not only us. but all mankinds We are
struggling not only for ourselves, but
Tor posrerity and for the world.
Upon the result Of this issue. depends
in great measure. the future destiny
Of our race. II we succeed IN crushing
this rebellion. immortal hohors await
us; il we fail. our country is severed.
and BIZ the coming histOrian, we shall
be viewed in the ght of invaders and
oppressors.
Until quite recently We were all at
our homes, surrounded by our friends
and families. and enjoying in calm and
quiet repose. all the comforts of domes
tic happiness arOnnd our own altars and
hearthStones. Under your command.
we have in al almost incredibly short
space Of time, become transformed from
civilians to soldiers. To you, sir. are
we chiefly indebted for the proud po-
sition which We as Regiment occupy
in the estimation of an enlightened pub
lie opinion. and the uniform success
which has hitherto invariably attended
your military movements. bids US hope
for still greater achievements.
Divine providence has so ordered it,
that our fate is indissOIubly welded to
yours. Our interest is your interest.
and your destiny is ours. Be assured
that you enjoy to the fullest extent our
sympathy and confidence. and that so
far as~we are advised. every sentiment
that animRtes your bosom, finds a re-
sponsive echo in ours By your firm
yet mild discipline as Seildhesp dhep6Ttms5T, Or i-
you have endrared yourself to your
Regiment by no common ties; and l
may safely say that you have in every
officer of your Regiment. brother, and
in every soldier. firm friend.
Accept then this sword as a slight
testimonial Of our gratitude. Let it
never be drawn save in Freedoms holy
cause. Let it never be surrendered to
traitor hands. May it serve in after
years 10 recall to your mind, many
pleasing incidents connected with the
service of your country, and may it
often remind you of our respect and
attachment for our commanding officer.
To which Colonel TuRLEY responded
as follows:
SIR-These are indeed perilous times
such as try mems souls. Since the
world began. no other nation has ever
been engaged in a war like this. one Of
such magnitude, and fraught with such
results; war which. il sue
cessful on the part of rebels. becomes
subversive of the dearest interests Of
mankind; not war Of conquest or for
injuries sustained. but war destructive
of civil and religious liberty, as well as
Of social and political equality; war
to overthrow the best form of govern
ment ever devised for man. and inSti-
tuted and ordained by Jehovah; the
right TO man to govern himself.
Sir. you have truly said that "this
is a momentous crisis, an eventful pc
riod in the history of our Republic"
We are fighting to maintain the sacred
principles of freedom for which our
fathers fought. Should we fail. the
world would revolve backward a CEN
tury, civilization and christianity retro
grade. ignorance and vice cover the land,
and anarchy reign supreme. We must
know no such word as fail Our arms
may not be victorious on every battle
field. Fortune may not favor us in
every engagement, and we may not be
enabled to plant our proud banner upon
the outer wall, until the foul blot upon
our national escntcheon be erased,
that blot which has been The seourge
and curse Of every nation. repeat,
il may be. that not until that foul blot
be removed will the ensign Of freedom.
the emblem Of liberty. float proudly
throughout the length and breadth OF
the land, mot star obscured nor
single stripe erased Then will the
grandeur of our institutions shine forth,
and this great Republic. be the wonder
and admiration OF the world. while con-
templating the wisdom that conirived,
the strength that supports. and the
beauty that adorns" our form of gov
ernmeut.
1t is true. sir, that but recently you
and your fellow officers were at home.
and citizens OF the great State Of Ohio.
enjoying the society of family and
friends. You are now soldiers, ready
TO defend the honor Of your country and
her noble institutions; that country un-
der whose benign influence you are so